It starts at the top.
With the Minnesota Timberwolves seemingly in disarray from the outside looking in, owner Glen Taylor reportedly has "significant concern" over the culture created under both head coach/team president Tom Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Taylor's concern runs so deep that he reportedly contemplated making organizational changes during the offseason.
Thibodeau was brought aboard in his dual role on April 20, 2016, with Taylor having reportedly "second-guessed" his decision recently to grant Thibodeau - who's entering the third year of a five-year contract - the authority to control basketball operations along with being the coach.
Both Thibodeau and Layden are reportedly slated to meet with four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler on Monday, as Butler has begun to "seriously" contemplate his future with the franchise after during down a contract extension. The 29-year-old is locked in through 2018-19, and can enter unrestricted free agency next summer if he so chooses.
Minnesota can offer Butler a max contract worth $187 million over five years. Should he walk, the largest deal he could secure elsewhere is $140 million over four seasons.
While Thibodeau's relationship with Butler - who he also coached during their days together with the Chicago Bulls - remains strong, the same can't be said for Butler's bond with teammate Karl-Anthony Towns. Butler was reportedly "fed up" with Towns' attitude during the 2017-18 campaign, and that could play into Butler's decision on whether or not he elects to re-sign.
The Timberwolves qualified for the postseason by the skin of their teeth on the back of a 47-win record, but were quickly ousted in five games in the opening round.
