7. Will the Timberwolves implode?
The Minnesota Timberwolves enter the 2018-19 campaign on the precipice of disaster.
In mid-June, Sean Deveney of Sporting News reported All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler is “uncertain about playing with” Andrew Wiggins, as he “had problems with Wiggins, his work ethic and his approach on the defensive end of the floor.” A few weeks later, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported Butler “has been frustrated with the nonchalant attitudes of younger teammates—specifically Karl-Anthony Towns.”
Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN has been suggesting for months that there’s a lot of “angst” and “disconnect behind the scenes” in Minnesota, which doesn’t bode well for the organization’s long-term future. As head coach/team president Tom Thibodeau continues to gather together his old Chicago Bulls stalwarts like Thanos collected Infinity Stones, the roster could soon become divided into two separate factions: the TimberBulls versus everyone else.
With Butler set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer — and reportedly unlikely to re-sign in Minnesota, according to ESPN’s Nick Friedell — the T-Wolves will have to consider how to proceed with him this season. If his relationship with Wiggins and Towns is beyond repair and he has a foot out the door, Minnesota’s best option may be to ship him out before the February trade deadline before losing him for nothing in July.
If the Timberwolves get off to a slow start in 2018-19, the Twin Cities may be hosting a midseason fire sale.