Minnesota Timberwolves: Tom Thibodeau talks Jimmy Butler and Offseason

Minnesota Timberwolves Head Coach Tom Thibodeau talks recent offseason moves, as well as the infamous Jimmy Butler situation – Dunking With Wolves tries to breakdown each segment.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have had a so-so offseason when it comes to signing free agents, mostly because they resigned players of pretty much equal value of where they were last year.

Aside from their free agents, the two players the Wolves decided to take chances on in the draft may prove to be their biggest acquisition in quite some time – Josh Okogie and Keita Bates-Diop.

Wolves fans may be wondering what Tom Thibodeau thinks about his free agency thus far, luckily Minnesota has some of the best reporters in the country and they’ve been on top of that.

Jerry Zgoda from the Star Tribune details a conversation Thibodeau had with the Minnesota media about the Wolves recent offseason moves. Specifically, Nemanja Bjelica and Anthony Tolliver:

"Via, Star Tribune“We liked Bjeli a lot, too, but we were looking at what the possibilities were and we didn’t want to get caught short. So we were trying to get something done. He was the players we got traction on. We felt rather than take a chance, let’s be sure.” Thibodeau later added. “We wanted to address the defense of the second unit, and we think he’ll be a great fit,” Thibodeau said. “Whatever he’s asked to do, he does it. He always stars in his role. We can’t have enough guys like that.”"

The Minnesota sports world has seen numerous writers focus on how Anthony Tolliver is a step up from Nemanja Bjelica. As you can see here, Tom Thibodeau would agree.

While Tolliver is a slightly better shooter than Bjelica, Thibs adds that the new addition will help the lackluster second unit defense. While that may be true, Bjelica did provide some majestic-like offense at times for the second unit.

Therefore, the second unit would have to rely on some other players now that Bjelica and Jamal Crawford are out of the equation.

The answer will most likely be, Derrick Rose, which Thibs elaborates on:

“He’s already into basketball. What he brings to our team, you want guys who can go downhill and attack. I think we saw that, how he fit in.”

One thing we know about Tom Thibodeau, is that he loves his old-Chicago Bulls basketball team. You can expect Rose getting an increase in minutes and possibly a future Tyus Jones trade if that becomes true.

Aside from the future bench play of Anthony Tolliver and Derrick Rose, the most interesting part of Thibs answers were his about Jimmy Butler:

"Via, Bleacher Report“We know how important Jimmy is to the team,” Thibodeau said, per Nick Friedell of ESPN. “But we don’t talk about contract negotiations or anything like that, so just get ready for the season.” When asked about the KAT drama, Butler says this. “We know how important both guys are to our team, so we’re just getting ready for next year.”"

I don’t believe there is a ghost whisperer – or in this case – a Tom Thibodeau whisperer, to figure out what he means by any of this, but I will say it seems dull. You may believe that everything Thibs says is dull, but this is extra-Thibs like.

He seems to be acting like that parent who knows that their child is frustrated, but won’t do anything to acknowledge or accept that fact – therefore making the child rebellious.

Without making this a weird analogy, let’s assume that Butler gets pretty mad from this situation and just wants the acknowledgment of Thibs and the front office for a max contract.

Is it worth it?

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I would argue that if you can keep the three-headed (soon to be) monster of Karl-Anthony Towns, Jimmy Butler, and Andrew Wiggins, on long-term deals, that’s a great move and is definitely worth the cap space.

Let’s hope the front office and management agree.