Jimmy Butler has reportedly requested a trade after meeting with Minnesota Timberwolves brass and head coach Tom Thibodeau in Los Angeles on Tuesday. According to Shams Charania, Butler has given Minnesota a list of "one-to-three teams" with whom he is open to signing an extension with. The 29-year old All-Star, who is currently slated to become a free agent next summer, can sign a max deal worth four years, $140.6 million.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks - three teams that have max cap space to sign Butler as a free agent in July - are Butler's preferred destinations.
The rift between Butler and Timberwolves' All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns, as well as Andrew Wiggins, seems to be a major reason why Butler is likely to be traded before the start of the season. Charania recently reported that KAT still has not signed his rookie max extension and does not plan on doing so until the Jimmy Butler situation had been resolved. Wiggins' brother tweeted "Hallelujah" in response to today's report of Butler's trade request.
However, The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski reports "Butler's decision had very little if anything to do with Towns and Wiggins. More to do with contractual matters."
The Wolves acquired Butler in a trade with the Chicago Bulls just last June in a deal that appeared extremely lopsided in Minnesota's favor at the time. In exchange for the then three-time NBA All-Star, the Bulls received Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and the #7 pick - Lauri Markkanen.
Butler only appeared in 59 games with the Wolves, averaging 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2 steals per game.
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