Report: T-Wolves telling teams they won't trade Butler
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been informing teams interested in Jimmy Butler that they intend to keep him, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
League executives have reportedly made calls to the Timberwolves about Butler, but team president and head coach Tom Thibodeau has been unwilling to discuss a deal.
However, T-Wolves owner Glen Taylor expects to be heavily involved throughout the decision-making process and is more open to dealing the disgruntled Butler, according to Wojnarowski. Taylor has been involved in major trades in the past, helping the team send out former franchise centerpieces Kevin Garnett and Kevin Love.
Thibodeau reportedly has no interest in rebuilding the Timberwolves after the franchise made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2004. Thibodeau coached Butler for four seasons with the Chicago Bulls before parting ways with the franchise. He landed in Minnesota in 2016 and traded for the gritty guard in 2017.
Butler reportedly prefers a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers, but also has interest in being sent to the New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets.