Amid trade rumors, Jimmy Butler is expected to play in the opener

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 25: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts in the second half during Game Five of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Despite trade rumors swirling the last few weeks, Jimmy Butler is expected to play in the Minnesota Timberwolves season opener

The ongoing standoff between Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves brass has been well documented over the last few weeks. Butler has expressed his displeasure with the organization, which included some trash talking about his current teammates. These teammates included Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, who are the future of the franchise.

Butler mentioned how the players on the team didn’t seem to care enough about winning, and that really contributed to him wanting to take his talents elsewhere. The organization explored trade opportunities for the disgruntled All-Star, and it looked as if the Miami Heat were the front runners for a deal to be made. Trade talks however fell through after head coach Tom Thibodeau kept raising the teams asking price. Butler began reporting to practice and is now expected to play in the Timberwolves season opener.

Minnesota's Jimmy Butler practiced again Sunday and is expected to play in season opener in San Antonio on Wednesday. Heat/Timberwolves talks have been dead, for now, league sources said.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 14, 2018

Minnesota made the playoffs last season for the first time since the 2003-04 season, only to lose in the first round to the Houston Rockets. Most of the organization was just happy to have made it, but Butler clearly didn’t seem satisfied after the team was sent packing.

It’s been an ugly series of events between Butler and the team since then, including a scrimmage at practice where Butler teamed up with third-stringers on the team and embarrassed the starters in front of members of the front office.

Next: Every NBA team's greatest playoff moment

A free agent at season’s end, there seems to be no chance that Butler will even consider resigning with the team, so it would be wise for them to trade him before they lose him for nothing. Minnesota will be taking on the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, Oct. 17, to kick their season off.

Home/Minnesota Timberwolves