Jimmy Butler has reportedly requested a trade from the Wolves, kick-starting what could be a huge year for NBA free agency
- Minnesota Timberwolves star Jimmy Butler has reportedly requested a trade from the team.
- According to a report, Butler gave the Wolves three teams he'd be open to signing a contract extension with should he be traded.
- The news comes after rumors and reports of escalating tensions between Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, and Tom Thibodeau.
Minnesota Timberwolves star Jimmy Butler has requested a trade from the team and given a list of teams to whom he'd be open to signing an extension, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania and Jon Krawczymski.
Butler can become a free agent at the end of the season. It's unclear which teams made his list.
The news comes after tensions seemed to be boiling over in Minnesota. Rumors suggested Butler and young Wolves stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins did not get along. Butler had appeared to make critical comments of the young players on social media during the offseason.
Charania previously reported that Towns wasn't willing to sign a contract extension until the Butler situation "resolves itself."
The escalating tensions led to a meeting between head coach Tom Thibodeau and Butler this week to discuss the team's path forward. Butler reportedly wants to play for a contender, but has also been rumored to be interested in joining major markets like New York or Los Angeles as a free agent. There has been buzz about Butler and Kyrie Irving teaming up in free agency to build the NBA's next super-team.