Thibodeau: Butler will join Timberwolves in a week if not traded

This could get awkward.

Minnesota Timberwolves president and head coach Tom Thibodeau said Monday that if Jimmy Butler isn't traded in the next week, he'll rejoin the team, per ESPN's Michelle Steele.

Thibodeau didn't elaborate if that meant Butler would play preseason, or ultimately regular-season games if he isn't dealt in the next month. Minnesota opens their exhibition schedule Saturday in Golden State.

Thibodeau prefaced the remarks with the stance that the organization won't be forced into a panicked trade involving Butler.

"It's not the first time a player has made that kind of (trade) request and it won't be the last," Thibodeau said, per NBA TV. "When you look at who Jimmy is, he's a top-10 player in the league. We're not going to make a bad deal. (Owner Glen Taylor), Scott (Layden), and myself, I think we've made that clear."

Following news of Butler's trade request last week, teammate Andrew Wiggins' brother quote-tweeted "Hallelujah" with the news, followed by Wiggins himself sparring with former NBAer Stephen Jackson regarding the issue.

Butler has butted heads with the Wolves' youngsters, like Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, since arriving in Minnesota last year. Towns signed a max extension with the team over the weekend.