Report: Butler to meet with Timberwolves brass to discuss future

The time has come for Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves to clear the air.

The All-Star shooting guard will reportedly meet with general manager Scott Layden and head coach/president Tom Thibodeau on Monday "to have honest conversations" about his future with the franchise, sources told The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski.

"Whatever needs to be communicated ... will be," a source on the meeting told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who notes that Butler and Thibodeau continue to have a strong relationship.

Butler has reportedly begun to "seriously contemplate" his future in Minnesota, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania. It was back in July when Butler rejected a reported four-year extension worth approximately $110 million, freeing him up to potentially become an unrestricted free agent next summer by turning down his player option.

Reports have emerged that Butler is open to leaving the Timberwolves to join LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers, who could have enough cap room to sign a second max-level star in 2019-20. He's also been linked to close friend Kyrie Irving, as the two are reportedly trying to conjure up a way to play together.

Butler averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and two steals across 59 appearances. He reportedly took issue with the work ethic of some of his younger teammates, including Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, during the campaign.

Minnesota boosted its win total by 16 games from 31 to 47 last season, while qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2004. They were bounced in the opening round in five games by the Houston Rockets.