Jimmy Butler re-signs with the Minnesota Timberwolves
I can’t believe I’m writing this, but there is a realm of possibilty where Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves don’t get a trade done by February 7th, 2019.
This would force Butler to play out his contract with Minnesota this season, and if by some miracle, it all works out and the Wolves make a run in the playoffs, you could see the potential scenario play out below:
"Via CBS Sports: “An extension this summer where Butler declines his 2019-20 option could add a maximum of another four years and $109.9 million to his contract. According to the current $108 million cap estimate for the 2019-20 season, in July 2019 Butler could sign a four-year, $139.3 million contract with another team as an unrestricted free agent or a five-year, $187.9 million deal with the Timberwolves.”"
Butler would gain $50 million more staying with the Wolves and also have a longer guaranteed contract than he would get elsewhere. And with him having injury struggles throughout the past few season (and honestly, his career) it may be smart for him to sign that next summer.
Here’s the kicker, and most likely why this idea is void from the start:
Glen Taylor will fire Tom Thibodeau if he even dares to try and keep Jimmy Butler.
From everything we’ve heard, Glen Taylor wants general manager Scott Layden to finalize a trade because Taylor doesn’t trust Thibs to move Butler, understandably.
In conclusion, this isn’t my final Butler piece, but I hope you can understand that some of these moves range from realistic, to asinine, to impossible, to “I HOPE NOT.”
And that’s what it feels like to be a Timberwolves writer, hope you enjoyed this!