Adrian Wojnarowski
revealed on Wednesday afternoon that Jimmy Butler decided to practice with the Timberwolves. He also reported that it didn’t go well. Butler caused a scene and even screamed at the GM.
Via ESPN:
Butler was vociferous and emotional at times, targeting president/coach Tom Thibodeau, general manager Scott Layden and teammates Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, league sources said. He had not practiced with the team so far this season after requesting a trade three weeks ago.
Butler participated in drills and scrimmaged with Timberwolves, sources said.
At one point in a scrimmage, sources said, Butler turned to Layden and screamed: “You f—ing need me. You can’t win without me.” Butler left teammates and coaches largely speechless.
Shortly after Woj dropped this news our insider reached back out to give us a little more insider information:
The Timberwolves are telling all staff not to comment. Sounds like Jimmy is being as unpleasant as possible to everyone. Target Center is going to be on lock down soon at this rate, this is full soap opera now. Apparently KAT wasn’t aware that Jimmy was going to be in the building. And his agent Leon Rose is going apeshit. Its 100 times worse that what Woj wrote.
Jimmy showed up after they started practice, hopped in a game, started yelling at KAT and then played third string against starters, and was yelling whole time. Then entire front office ran down after they heard the yelling.
This is only going to get worse if the Timberwolves don’t find a way to trade him. It might be time for Thibs to stop sabotaging potential trades and let his GM do his job. The drama in Minnesota isn’t going away until the trade is done.
