5 best landing spots for Jimmy Butler if he leaves the Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 23: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talks to the media after the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1 of 5

If Jimmy Butler really is fed up with the Timberwolves situation, here are five teams he could land on.

After ending a lengthy playoff drought last season, you’d think things would be pretty harmonious for the Minnesota Timberwolves. But there are signs of discontent with the key players, and barring a trade of Andrew Wiggins a big offseason move is not coming.

The latest crack in the foundation comes courtesy of Jimmy Butler. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Butler is “fed up” with the nonchalant attitude of his younger teammates. While you’d think Wiggins, his hypothetical protege, is the primary target, think again.

Butler apparently sees Karl-Anthony Towns as the problem, and trading one of the best young players in the league as a solution. A distant vibe from Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor seems to also be an issue for Butler.

Butler can opt out of his contract next summer and become an unrestricted free agent, and the Timberwolves reportedly want to offer him a max contract extension. But Cowley’s report adds that Butler and Kyrie Irving want to team up in the Eastern Conference, particularly now that LeBron James has come to the Western Conference with the Lakers. Irving can also opt out and be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The choice between Butler, who has missed at least 15 games in four of the last five seasons and will be 30 years old with a hypothetical max deal starts, and Towns seems obvious. But Butler is one of head coach/president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau’s “guys,” so the wrong choice and going the opposite direction of logic can’t be ruled out.

With a trade in the meantime possible, but leaving to team up with Irving in 2019 more likely, here are the five best landing spots for Butler if and when he leaves the Timberwolves.

Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images /

5. Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers are rumored to be interested in trading for Kawhi Leonard, but the Spurs’ high asking price may take them away from that apart from Leonard’s desire to eventually land in Los Angeles. The ship has sailed on their faint chance to sign LeBron James, but head coach Brett Brown has openly acknowledged the hunt for a veteran star to team with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.

In theory, the 76ers do have the cap space to sign Butler to a big contract come next summer.

But the idea of teaming up with Irving would be out the window in Philadelphia.

Home/Minnesota Timberwolves