Fansided

Jimmy Butler continues to push the envelope with Timberwolves

By Brad Berreman

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 29: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talks with media after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 29, 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)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 29: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talks with media after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 29, 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) /
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Jimmy Butler has made it clear he wants out of Minnesota, and now he’s set to declare whether he’ll play back-to-backs.

To the surprise of no one who has followed the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise, now into its 30th season, the situation with Jimmy Butler continues to get further off the rails. He went scorched Earth when he returned to practice with the team a few weeks ago, and most recently sat out a game against the Utah Jazz due to “general soreness.”

Butler was the driving force for a win last Monday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, and he returned to the lineup Friday night against the Golden State Warriors with a productive outing (21 points, five assists and three rebounds).

The Timberwolves now have a back-to-back coming, against the Portland Trail Blazers Sunday night and the Los Angeles Clippers Monday night as they continue a West Coast swing.  According to ESPN’s Nick Friedell, Butler is prepared to sit out one or both games.

I let them know,” Butler said after Friday’s 116-99 loss to the Golden State Warriors. “They don’t know how my body feels. So if I’m nicked up, then you can count on that. I don’t know. We’ll see how it goes. I don’t know what we plan on doing tomorrow. Obviously, I got to get some treatment along with a lot of other guys. But we’ll see whenever Sunday and Monday gets here.

Butler is trying to force a trade, and if it comes to that head coach/president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau appears ready to ride the dysfunction out all season before Butler opts out of his contract and becomes a free agent. The Houston Rockets stand as the last team with any recent rumored interest in Butler, and it appears the Timberwolves want guard Eric Gordon back in any deal.

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Thibodeau has shown he’s not capable of handling this situation, under the idea Butler is one of “his guys.” Now Butler is making his former and current coach look more and more foolish by the day, as he picks and chooses what games he feels like playing in. Even if he sits Sunday night, Monday night or both, you can bet Butler will be on the floor for the game Wednesday night against the Lakers on national television.

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