Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor has now indicated that he would like to see the team trade disgruntled All-Star Jimmy Butler before the team opens up training camp on Tuesday.
At the very least, that’s information we’re seeing from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski as the drama between this All-NBA performer and his organization continues.
Equally as important, Wojnarowski is reporting that the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets are among the teams interested in landing Butler. They join the Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers as named teams interested in the veteran.
Philadelphia is interesting in that it has the assets to make a move for a player of Butler’s ilk. That includes youngsters Markelle Fultz and Dario Saric as well as a whole plethora of draft capital. As it relates to Houston, the team doesn’t have much capital to engage in talks with Minnesota short of getting a third team involved.
Taylor’s plan is to receive offers for Butler over the next two days before reaching out to the All-Star and his agent as a way to figure out where Butler might sign an extension. This would allow Minnesota to get the best possible return.
Though, it’s worth noting that teams are interested in moving for Butler without a guarantee that he signs an extension.
This whole drama has made Minnesota look pretty darn bad. It’s in this that Taylor wants a conclusion prior to what would be a full-fledged circus during camp.
All of this also comes on the heels of Minnesota signing Karl-Anthony Towns to a super-max extension. Given Butler’s issues with KAT, it’s clear that his time in Minneapolis is coming to an end.