May 2018 Minnesota Timberwolves Wiretap

Tom Thibodeau Didn't Have Locker Room Issues Leak To Media In Past

Sep 30, 2018 1:00 PM

Unlike previous situations in his coaching career, Tom Thibodeau was unable to keep the issues going on inside the locker room of the Minnesota Timberwolves from leaking out to the media.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins didn't play with the same type of consistent effort Jimmy Butler respects, which created a divide within the Wolves.

Thibodeau had hoped he could keep the team in place through the offseason and fix the issues at the start of camp.

One of Thibodeau's favorite mantras is that "the magic is in the work."

But Butler was fed up with the situation to a point where he requested a trade as he enters his walk year.

Nick Friedell/ESPN

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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RealGM Radio: Arturo Galletti On West Over-Unders

Sep 28, 2018 4:57 PM

Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) and Arturo Galletti (@AmericanNumbers) break down the over/unders for the Western Conference.

They discuss the win total, division, conference and title odds as well as any pertinent individual award lines for the Kings (1:58), Suns (10:35), Mavericks (16:40), Grizzlies (25:51), Clippers (30:40), Trail Blazers (39:55), Spurs (46:39), Pelicans (54:25), Timberwolves (1:01:22), Lakers (1:13:21), Nuggets (1:24:22), Thunder (1:30:27), Jazz (1:37:59), Rockets (1:44:26) and Warriors (1:57:51).

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Tags: Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, RealGM Radio

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Wolves Continue To Seek Return For Jimmy Butler Beyond What Teams Offering

Sep 27, 2018 10:26 AM

The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to seek a trade return for Jimmy Butler beyond what any team is willing to offer. The Miami Heat, who have been among the most aggressive teams pursuing a trade for Butler, find the price too high.

The Wolves are seeking a combination of veterans, top prospects, future assets and cap relief.

Sources are skeptical of Tom Thibodeau's desire to make a deal.

Butler requested a trade before the start of training camp.

Adrian Wojnarowski, Zach Lowe/ESPN

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Tom Thibodeau Ready To Honor Jimmy Butler's Trade Request

Sep 26, 2018 6:34 PM

After initially resisting the idea of trading Jimmy Butler following his trade request, Tom Thibodeau is now prepared to honor his request.

"Our reality is that he has requested a trade, so we'll honor that," Thibodeau said. "But we're not just going to make any deal. ... Our conversations (between Butler and Thibodeau) will remain private. He requested a trade and we're going to honor his request. But we're not going to do anything that's bad for the Timberwolves. We're going to do what's good for the Timberwolves. We have to prioritize that. That's what our job is."

Butler will be a free agent in 2019, which limits Minnesota's leverage.

While Thibodeau will attempt to trade Butler, he expects Butler to honor his contract once he's healthy if he remains with Minnesota.

"He's under contract," Thibodeau said. "Who knows? It's a pretty fluid situation. We're always going to do what's best for the Timberwolves. We're going to prioritize that."

Reid Forgrave/CBS Sports

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Rockets Trying To Conceive Of Creative Trade Ideas For Jimmy Butler

Sep 26, 2018 5:36 PM

The Houston Rockets have tried to be creative in trying to trade for Jimmy Butler.

Butler is a native of the Houston area.

The Miami Heat are considered the team that has engaged most seriously with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a trade for Butler.

The Wolves will likely need a third team to help facilitate a deal for Butler.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Jimmy Butler Informs Wolves Of Preference To Be Dealt To Heat

Sep 26, 2018 10:52 AM

Jimmy Butler and his agent have informed the Minnesota Timberwolves he prefers a trade to the Miami Heat.

Butler initially had the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets on his wish list.

The Heat have reportedly been amongst the most aggressive teams in trying to trade for Butler.

Butler will be a free agent in 2019.

Marc Stein/New York Times

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kings Interested In Facilitating Three-Way Jimmy Butler Trade

Sep 25, 2018 9:28 AM

The Sacramento Kings are interested in helping to facilitate a Jimmy Butler trade.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and whichever team agrees to trade for him will possibly need a third team to take on salary. The Wolves are intent on trading Gorgui Dieng, who has three years and $48 million left on his contract.

The Kings are the only team in the NBA who can absorb the $11 million into cap space while they also possess several expiring contracts such as Zach Randolph, Iman Shumpert and Kosta Koufos.

The Kings are without their first round pick in 2019.

Assistant GM Brandon Williams has informed teams that the Kings aren't adverse to parking contracts that extend into the 2019-20 season.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Jimmy Butler Rejects Tom Thibodeau's Pitch On Rejoining Wolves

Sep 25, 2018 9:11 AM

Tom Thibodeau pitched Jimmy Butler on Monday about rejoining the Minnesota Timberwolves. Butler, who has requested a trade, declined the overtures from Thibodeau.

Butler is uninterested in practicing or playing with the Timberwolves again.

Butler plans on leaving the Wolves in free agency in 2019 regardless. But one league source said Thibodeau "isn't giving up."

Tom Thibodeau and GM Scott Layden, who is the point man for trade conversations, continue to leave rival executives and owners unclear on what the Wolves seek in a deal. League sources say Layden is asking for stars, starters, draft picks and cap relief for Butler.

Butler underwent his physical in Minnesota on Monday, missing the team's media day with ownership permission. 

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Heat Most Aggressive In Pursuing Trade For Jimmy Butler

Sep 24, 2018 11:14 AM

The Miami Heat have been as aggressive as any other team in pursuing a trade for Jimmy Butler.

The Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings are among the teams interested in a deal for Butler.

Butler requested a trade from the Wolves last week.

Glen Taylor and Butler want a deal completed before the Timberwolves' first day of practice on Tuesday.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia Sixers, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Karl-Anthony Towns: Wait On Extension Was About Getting Everything Perfect

Sep 24, 2018 10:09 AM

Karl-Anthony Towns waited until late September to sign a supermax contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Towns said multiple times that there were things that had to be discussed.

“It took a lot longer than I expected, but at the end of the day it was all about getting everything perfect and the understanding was the same,” Towns said. “In talking to each other about the commitment to winning, that was the biggest thing, and having that commitment to each other.”

Towns talked about his leadership role despite being just 22 years old still.

“I have more experience, I’m older, I’ve been in the league longer, I have a little more dog years on me,” Towns said. “It’s not the money. The money doesn’t make me a leader. It’s the everyday grind I show to my teammates that earns me that respect to make my voice heard.”

The relationship between Towns and Tom Thibodeau has been a point of discussion.

“Me and Thibs may not see eye-to-eye every day, but the one thing I know is we have tremendous respect for each other,” Towns said. “Regardless of what happens, that respect is there. I know when I look in Thibs’ eyes and he looks in mine, we both have the same goal and that’s to win. Me and Thibs have a good understanding what we’re looking for out of each other.”

Jon Krawczynski/The Athletic

Tags: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Wolves Aligning Focus On Trading Jimmy Butler

Shams Charania, Jon Krawczynski/The Athletic

Karl-Anthony Towns Agrees To Five-Year, $190M Supermax Extension With Wolves

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Jimmy Butler Granted Permission To Skip Wolves' Media Day

Shams Charania, Jon Krawczynski/The Athletic

Wolves Hope To Include Gorgui Dieng In Jimmy Butler Trade

Zach Lowe/ESPN

Glen Taylor Tells Owners Jimmy Butler Available In Trade

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Wolves Inform Teams Jimmy Butler Not Available In Trade

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Suns Interested In Trade For Tyus Jones

Zach Lowe/ESPN

Jimmy Butler Prefers Clippers For Trade, Downplays Fractured Relationship With Towns

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Jimmy Butler Requests Trade From Wolves

Shams Charania, Jon Krawczynski/The Athletic

Jimmy Butler Meeting With Tom Thibodeau, Scott Layden To Discuss Situation

Jon Krawczynski, Shams Charania/The Athletic

Raptors To Sign Deng Adel To Partially Guaranteed Deal

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Wolves Interested In Monta Ellis, Brandon Paul, Brandon Rush

Shams Charania, Jon Krawczynski/The Athletic

Luol Deng Agrees To One-Year, $2.4M Deal With Wolves

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Luol Deng Widely Expected To Sign With Wolves

Marc Stein/New York Times

Wolves Begin Pursuit Of Luol Deng

Marc Stein/New York Times

Wolves Remain Interested In Luol Deng, Joakim Noah

Jon Krawczynski/The Athletic