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Minnesota Timberwolves: Best and worst case scenario for Jimmy Butler

By Adam Ziobrowski

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during 2017 Media Day on September 22, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during 2017 Media Day on September 22, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, MN – JUNE 29: Tom Thibobeau introduces Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves to the public during a press conference at the Mall of America on June 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, MN – JUNE 29: Tom Thibobeau introduces Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves to the public during a press conference at the Mall of America on June 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best-case scenario

This one is easy, the best possible scenario for Jimmy Butler next season would be leading the Wolves to 50 wins.

Butler has a chance to lead the Wolves to 50 wins while having an MVP type season. Last season he scored 23.9 points per game shooting 45.5 percent from the filed. With that Butler added 6.2 total rebounds per game while also dishing 5.5 assists per game. All these numbers were higher than his career averages in those stats.

To have a shot at 50 wins Butler will need to put together a season like this. It would be nice to see his shooting percentage increase and another assist or two per game wouldn’t hurt. However, Butler is a two-way star. His production over the past few seasons is enough to help any team with talent to 50 wins.

For Butler to enter MVP talks and lead the Wolves to a top seed he needs to get better from three. He did shoot 36.7 percent from deep last year on 3.3 attempts per game. Finding himself in the 40 percent range would be a huge step towards the Wolves fixing their perimeter shooting woes.

One final note, with the depth the Wolves now have it would be nice to see Butler play a little less. Yes, you read that right. I hope Thibodeau plays Butler anywhere from 33 to 35 minutes per night. For the past four seasons, Butler hasn’t seen less than 37 minutes per game. It will be crucial to save Butlers legs if the Wolves are looking to get to and make a run in the playoffs.

50 wins would most likely mean a 4 or a 5 seed. You have to figure the Warriors and Rockets will finish one and two. That leaves the Wolves to battle with the Spurs and new look Thunder. It won’t be easy,

Next: Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 bold predictions for the preseason

however, Butler is a man who is prepared for the task.

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