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Minnesota Timberwolves: Is Tom Thibodeau … quitting?

By Trey Flynn

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) /
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There have been multiple rumors surrounding Minnesota Timberwolves Head Coach Tom Thibodeau being adamant about not wanting to trade All-Star Jimmy Butler, so what’s next for the Wolves?

After the alarming news about Jimmy Butler wanting out of a Minnesota Timberwolves‘ jersey, jaws dropped all over the internet yesterday, and now we have more interesting news to go along with it.

Sean Deveney of Sporting News got a quote from an NBA Front Office Executive explaining the new Tom Thibodeau situation:

"Via, Sporting News“No one expects Tom to coach a 25-win or even 35-win team,” one front-office executive told Sporting News. “Even if he has to agree to dissolve the contract, they’d do that before they go and trade Butler for draft picks.”"

Dissolving Tom Thibodeau’s contract could be a favorable action by the front office according to fans who were in dismay yesterday with Butler’s trade demands. A large portion of the Minnesota fanbase believe it’s Thibs fault that Butler wants to leave, and not the rumored-drama surrounding Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.

Moreover, the Timberwolves essentially lost out on Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and Lauri Markkanen for 50-odd games of Jimmy Butler thanks to head coach Tom Thibodeau and the front office.

However, Thibs did help lead the Wolves to their first playoff appearance in 14 years and that’s saying something, whether you enjoyed that Houston series or not.

If this NBA executive is correct in thinking that Thibodeau wouldn’t want any part of a rebuild in Minnesota if Butler is exchanged for draft picks, what are the Wolves stuck with?

Youth.

Next. 5 Jimmy Butler Trades. dark

Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins would have to rebuild this team without any help from veterans outside of Taj Gibson, excluding any of the coaching staff.

This is a messy situation that Jimmy Butler and Tom Thibodeau have created in Minnesota. My assumption is that the Timberwolves decide to hold on to Jimmy for the first 20-30 games and let teams feel out Butler’s health and see if they can give up more for the 4-time All-Star.

In fact, Butler may be on the team for the foreseeable future this season, according to Woj from ESPN:

"“For now, however, Timberwolves president and coach Tom Thibodeau has no interest in trading Butler and wants to try and return to the playoffs with him in the lineup, league sources said.Minnesota is resistant to immediately honor the trade request, especially given Thibodeau’s tenuous status with owner Glen Taylor, league sources said.”"

At the end of the day, Thibs is the President of Basketball Operations and is the head coach, he can make the decision on whether Butler stays or goes. Thibodeau can be selfish or selfless in this scenario, either holding onto Butler and leaving next summer when JB decides to leave, or he can trade him for some assets down the road in Minnesota.

There aren’t a lot of coaches in the free agent market less than 30-days before the season starts, so if a move was to be made, hopefully it happens sooner rather than later. Hiring assistant coaches once firing your head coach historically doesn’t work well in this league.

I’ve had enough drama in the past 24 hours, but this news wouldn’t be the worst of it.

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