After only one season with the franchise, Jimmy Butler is reportedly contemplating his future with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Ahead of his meeting with Timberwolves officials, The Athletic's Shams Charania provided insight on the existing internal conflict with Butler and the organization. On the Stadium network, Charania shared:
“There’s been a lot of uncertainty around Jimmy Butler all summer. He hasn’t been back to Minnesota, this is going to be a telltale week for him. Very much so, I’m told, this is a last-ditch meeting for the Timberwolves and Tom Thibodeau.”
From our own @ShamsCharania, latest on Jimmy Butler seriously contemplating Minnesota future. pic.twitter.com/bi0cV3GXTE
— Stadium (@WatchStadium) September 17, 2018
Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic earlier reported the four-time All-Star will meet with Timberwolves president and head coach Tom Thibodeau, as well as general manager Scott Layden, Monday to have "honest conversations" about his future with the team.
Jimmy Butler will meet with Tom Thibodeau and Scott Layden on Monday to "have honest conversations about the All-Star's future with the team," sources tell @TheAthleticMIN. Story upcoming.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) September 15, 2018
Butler meets with President/head coach Tom Thibodeau and Minnesota officials this week. Uncertainty has surrounded Butler and the team as the All-Star enters contract year. https://t.co/mMiVLtTT0O
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 15, 2018
Butler averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.0 steals per game in his first season with the Timberwolves. Before injuring his knee on Feb. 23, Minnesota had the third-best record in the Western Conference at 36-25.
The team struggled without him, however, losing nine of the 17 games Butler was sidelined. Butler returned in time for the playoffs, but the Houston Rockets took down the Timberwolves in five games in the opening round.
Rumours have since circulated about there being friction between Butler, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. When asked about it this offseason, Thibodeau said he doesn't "buy into any of that stuff."
"You have to distinguish what's real and what's not real," he said. "You never heard any of that come from Jimmy's mouth."
Butler and Thibodeau have been known to have a good working relationship. A source told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that "whatever needs to be communicated...will be" in the meeting between them on Monday.
Butler has an option in his contract to become an unrestricted free agent in 2019.
