Year One of Jimmy Butler's tenure in Minnesota was an unquestioned disappointment. NBA analysts expected the Timberwolves to contend for a top seed in the West, but they underachieved, claiming the No. 8 seed in the playoffs and losing in five games in the first round to the Rockets.
Butler is reportedly "fed up" with his younger teammates—looking at you, Karl-Anthony Towns—and has "no intentions" of re-upping with the Timberwolves, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
"As for Butler, a league source said that he also has no intentions of signing an extension with Minnesota, all but fed up with the nonchalant attitude of his younger teammates, specifically Karl-Anthony Towns," Cowley reports.
The report includes this juicy nugget: Butler and Kyrie Irving are interested in teaming up. That could happen through a trade or, eventually, through free agency.
"A league source close to the situation told the Sun-Times on Tuesday that Kyrie Irving and former Bulls All-Star Jimmy Butler are still trying to figure out a way to play together," Cowley adds. "Whether that means the Celtics try and acquire Butler this summer or the two simply wait a year, both opt out of their player options after the season, and join forces that way."
As the report notes, both Kyrie and Butler have player options at the conclusion of this upcoming season. Kyrie's is worth only $21 million, so it would be surprising if he opted in. Similarly, Butler is underpaid—his is worth only $19.8 million—meaning both of these guys will very likely be signing new deals within the next year.
