Are the Minnesota Timberwolves after Jimmy Butler?
Are the Minnesota Timberwolves looking to add Jimmy Butler to their young nucleus? Reports are saying it’s definitely a possibility before the NBA Draft.
The Minnesota Timberwolves feature a young core of Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and Karl-Anthony Towns. They added Kris Dunn in last year’s NBA Draft to the mix to really feature a young lineup with a lot of potential.
Under Tom Thibodeau’s tutelage, the T’Wolves didn’t perform up to expectations — only winning 31 games this past season. They are looking to add veterans to the mix that could really act as a catalyst to their rebuilding process.
One veteran they’ve had their eye on for some time is Jimmy Butler. The Chicago Bulls’ star has been unhappy with the organization and head coach Fred Hoiberg for some time and might want leave in free agency in a few years.
Hence, Chicago and their front office is trying to protect their interests and move Butler to a different team. Logically, it makes sense to get Jimmy Buckets to Minnesota due to his connection with head coach Tom Thibodeau — who was the Bulls’ coach before Hoiberg. There are now conflicting reports on whether the T’Wolves will land Butler.
First, Jordan Schultz added that the asking price for Butler is too high and Minnesota doesn’t want to give up those kind of assets.
Despite reports, league source tells me #TWolves are unlikely to make a move 4 Jimmy Butler. Thibs likes him a lot, but asking price 2 high.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 22, 2017
It wouldn’t surprise me if Chicago is asking for Andrew Wiggins, Kris Dunn and the No. 7 overall pick in exchange for Butler. The Bulls are enamored with Dunn, reportedly, so they would probably do that deal. For Minnesota it doesn’t make sense to give up that much for one player, but they might pull the trigger for just Dunn and the No. 7 pick, with no Wiggins in the deal.
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical immediately conflicted Schultz’s report, adding that Minnesota is still in pursuit of Butler.
Minnesota continues to show interest in landing Paul George or Jimmy Butler, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2017
The T’Wolves are looking to add a star still and I think at the right price — which wouldn’t involve Wiggins or Karl-Anthony Towns — they would pull the trigger on the deal. I think they prefer Butler to George and would love to keep him in Minnesota.
Next: 2017 NBA Mock Draft: The final predictions
There’s mutual interest both ways, so there’s a good chance it’s Butler and not PG13. If Chicago drops their price, Butler will be a T’Wolf. But if Chicago wants a lot, I doubt Minnesota pulls the trigger.