It could be as awkward and entertaining as it gets if Jimmy Butler isn’t traded by the time players and coaches show up for Timberwolves media day on Monday.
At this point, we wouldn’t be shocked if Butler simply doesn’t show up to media day, but his hope is to be traded by then, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
And that’s where it gets really messy, with Wojnarowski reporting that owner Glen Taylor “has become fully engaged in the decision-making process on a potential Butler trade” and is “far more open to the idea of orchestrating a deal” than president/coach Tom Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden.
As @wojespn alluded to, Glen Taylor has gotten personally involved in deal-making over the years: Al Jefferson, Corey Brewer and Mike James as well. He'll likely have to be involved again.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) September 21, 2018
But that’s not all. Wojnarowski says Butler told Thibodeau that he wants to be traded before Monday’s media day, and that he’d prefer the Clippers while also being open to going to the Knicks or Nets.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe adds that employees on the business side of the Wolves have a “strong desire” to see Butler traded before media day “so that it does not become a circus (or worse).”
Stay tuned, it could be a wild weekend for the Wolves. And Monday will be even crazier if Butler doesn’t get traded.
