Minnesota Timberwolves Roundup: Butler hand surgery, Okogie visits Vikings

In random Minnesota Timberwolves news, the team announced that All-Star Jimmy Butler underwent an elective hand surgery. Also, rookie Josh Okogie visited Minnesota Vikings training camp.

The end of July means the virtual end to NBA free agency. It also means the start of NFL training camp, which is a massive storyline in 32 markets across America, including the Twin Cities.

First-round pick Josh Okogie did what all good rookies (and new members of a pro sports team in a given city) do: he visited another pro sports team in the city, and said all the right things.

On Thursday, Okogie headed to the Vikings new training camp facility in Eagan, Minnesota, and visited with Vikings rookie and fellow first-round draft pick Mike Hughes. He made some comments on Minnesota as a state, as well as what NFL team he’ll be cheering for this fall.

From Lindsey Young at Vikings.com:

"“The Vikings are my new team now,” said Okogie. “They had a terrific playoff run last year, which gives me even more reason to [root for] them. But I’m going to like them regardless, because it’s my new home city.”…“Minnesota’s a wonderful state,” Okogie said. “The fans are really supportive and really bring you in as one of their own. I don’t doubt that they’re one of the best fan bases in the country.“I’m really excited for both the football team and the basketball team,” Okogie added. “I know we’re going to have two tremendous seasons this year.”"

Mr. Okogie certainly knows the way to the collective heart of Minnesota sports fans. Well played.

Elsewhere, the Timberwolves announced that Jimmy Butler underwent a “successful, elective” procedure on his right hand.

That’s about as brief of a press release as you’ll see, so … nothing to see here, I guess? It was no doubt something small that had been bothering him on some level for quite some time, and the team (correctly) made the calculation that it was better to send out a quick release instead of have folks figure it out and start a rumor that the franchise was trying to hide it.

At any rate, Butler is healthy and apparently back to working out and preparing for the season. And whatever it was, it didn’t hamper him in his game of Airsoft with Ethan Whitney that was put on by Make-A-Wish, or the overseas charity game he participated in a few weeks ago (picture above); it’s been a busy summer so far for Jimmy G.

We’ll have some additional speculation about the Wolves roster and remaining free agents that could be of interest to Tom Thibodeau and his staff over the weekend. Stay tuned.