Jimmy Butler has dropped some hints recently that he would prefer to play for a team other than the Minnesota Timberwolves, and it sounds like head coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau is going to great lengths to change the All-Star’s mind.
A report from over the weekend indicated that Butler and Thibodeau were scheduled to meet face-to-face in Minneapolis, but the location of the meeting has apparently changed to Los Angeles, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Minnesota's Tom Thibodeau is traveling to Los Angeles to meet with Jimmy Butler today, league sources tell ESPN. Original plan had been a meeting in Minneapolis, but that changed in the past 24 hours.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 18, 2018
What could that mean? Perhaps absolutely nothing. Or, if you like conspiracy theories, you could point to the fact that Butler seems to enjoy the Hollywood lifestyle, so maybe he is trying to send a message.
Wojnarowski reported over the weekend that Butler has never been enamored with the idea of playing in a big market like New York or Los Angeles. However, Shams Charania of The Athletic has been told Butler is seriously contemplating his future with the T-Wolves.
The relationship between Butler and Thibodeau is said to be strong, but Butler can opt out of his contract after the upcoming season. If he gives Thibodeau the impression he is planning to leave, a trade may be the best option.
