There were whispers earlier in the offseason that things weren’t right in Minnesota. Fresh off their first playoff appearance since the 2003-04 campaign, rumors of a rift between players came to a head with suggestions that the Timberwolves might look to trade Karl-Anthony Towns.
While all of this has died down in recent weeks, it now looks like the rift is real. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, All-NBA performer Jimmy Butler is fed up with the attitude of fellow teammates, primarily Towns himself. Moreover, Butler will not sign an extension to remain with he Wolves.
“As for Butler, a league source said that he also has no intentions of signing an extension with Minnesota, all but fed up with the nonchalant attitude of his younger teammates, specifically Karl-Anthony Towns,” Cowley reported.
After being acquired from Chicago in a trade last summer, the 28-year-old Butler has two years remaining on his contract with an opt out following the 2018-19 campaign. It’s an opt out that he fully plans on using.
The report goes on to note that Butler and Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving want to team up together. Irving himself is also set to be a free agent following next season. What this means is anyone’s guess. But if Butler is making it clear that he will not commit to the Wolves long term, there’s a chance Minnesota will look to deal him this summer.
As for Towns, it’s been reported recently that he’s in line for an extension with Minnesota. It’s in this that the Wolves might have to make a decision in regards to keeping one or the other. That’s a less-than-ideal scenario for the talented young squad.