Minnesota Timberwolves: Rose Trade Means No Butler for Wolves

As the NBA offseason has just begun less than a week ago, there have been two big name trades today so far that will affect the Minnesota Timberwolves and recent rumors of them acquiring Bulls guard Jimmy Butler.

Over the last month, there had been multiple reports that new Minnesota Timberwolves Head Coach Tom Thibodeau would try to reunite with Bulls guard Jimmy Butler. Many have pondered the possibility of this deal and how it would affect the team and the upcoming draft.

Most rumors said that in addition to the number five pick in tomorrow’s draft, the Timberwolves would have to include one of their young players. There were rumors that the only way Chicago would listen to offers for Butler was if Andrew Wiggins was involved. Knowing this was probably a no-go, there was a talk of a #5 pick, Lavine, Dieng for Butler trade.

Now that Derrick Rose has been traded to the Knicks in a multi-player trade, the idea of a Butler trade looks like something that will not happen. With Rose dealt away, and Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah likely gone in free agency, would the Bulls still be willing to trade away Butler and literally start from scratch with no players to build around? Probably not.

This makes the idea of the Timberwolves keeping their pick seem like something that will happen. I do not see many scenarios that would be available in which they would be able to find a veteran player that would be worth the fifth pick and is available for trade.

Next: Minnesota Timberwolves: Truth of Smoke Screens?

Tomorrow’s draft will be interesting in that the Timberwolves will be adding another player to their core for the future. Stressing shooting as a big key to what they are looking for this year, Thibodeau has done his due diligence to see all key prospects that could be available.