Minnesota Timberwolves Roundup: Malik Beasley arrested, Butler, Layman

The Minnesota Timberwolves had yet another busy weekend. Let’s dive into a few notes…

This weekend brought a number of notes related to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Most were simply neutral in nature, but one was decidedly negative.

On the heels of some not-so-great (but also yet to be substantiated) news regarding Karl-Anthony Towns’ status with the team, one of the Wolves’ key acquisitions from the past year was arrested.

Minnesota Timberwolves Roundup: Malik Beasley arrested

The Minnesota Timberwolves brass woke up on Sunday morning to the news that wing Malik Beasley had been arrested.

The latest update is that Beasley was released from police custody on Sunday afternoon.

Beasley, of course, had been acquired from Denver as the most significant piece of the four-team deal that also sent Robert Covington to the Houston Rockets. He was fantastic across 14 games in a Wolves uniform and expected to land a significant pay raise in restricted free agency this offseason.

Along with Towns, Beasley was present at the team’s individual workouts roughly a week and a half ago that preceded the team camp this week.

As you’ll see at the above link, Beasley’s attorney says that they’ll “vigorously” fight the charges and says that there were several people at the residence at the time of the arrest.

Jimmy Butler on his teammates with the Minnesota Timberwolves

Elsewhere, Miami’s Jimmy Butler was apparently dismayed by his teammates’ collective “lack of professionalism” in Minnesota.

From Marc Berman at the New York Post:

"“Butler didn’t like some of the guys’ lack of professionalism,” one NBA source told The Post. “[Jimmy] and Tom had long talks about how to deal with it. When Butler realized it was unsolvable, he lashed out at the organization. His clock was ticking on his prime and didn’t want to waste it and forced his way out. Tommy was telling him to have patience, see it through.”"

Reports were previously that Butler was upset with Andrew Wiggins’ effort level, and, most notably, that he received a maximum contract based on his potential while Butler was still waiting for an extension.

There was also some drama between Butler and Towns, although it seemed to more be a clash of personalities than anything else.

The remainder of the article included this nugget from former Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau:

"Had Butler stuck it out, Thibodeau probably would still be in Minnesota. Asked if he has been watching Miami’s playoff run and wondering what-if, Thibodeau smiled.“I never work backwards,” he said. “Minnesota was Minnesota and now there’s a new chapter. It’s New York. And that’s really what I think about all the time. It’s all consuming. How can we get better, improve? How do we bring the best out of the group? I’m looking forward to this challenge.”"

Minnesota Timberwolves: On Jake Layman’s position

Finally, Ryan Saunders spoke to Jake Layman’s position for the upcoming season, noting that he’ll likely play more at the 2 or the 3 than at the 4.

For a player who has certainly seemed to be more effective as a 4 and for a team that seemed to prefer playing small for much of last season, it was a surprising note to keep an eye on moving forward.

We’ll keep an eye on all the goings-on at the Wolves’ In-Market Bubble over the next week as the camp rolls on.