Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor met with Jimmy Butler Sunday, and the two came to an understanding, sources told The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski. On one side, Taylor will reportedly continue to work "diligently" to find a trade as soon as possible, while Butler said he'll be a good teammate and suit up as long as he's with the team.
Butler is expected to play when the Timberwolves tip off the regular season Wednesday in San Antonio.
According to Krawczynski, the 77-year-old Taylor and his wife drove 90 minutes to Wolves practice Sunday to inspect the situation in the wake of last week's raucous scrimmage, in which Butler reportedly led a team of subs over Minnesota's starters while shouting at team executives.
Timberwolves president and head coach Tom Thibodeau has been accused in some quarters of not being genuine in his supposed attempts to deal the disgruntled Butler. Negotiations with the Miami Heat have seemingly broken down, while previous reports involving the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets don't appear to have gained much traction.
With the possibility of a fractured locker room existing, Andrew Wiggins insisted Sunday that Butler's presence is still welcomed. "When we start playing the real games, Jimmy is someone you want on your team," Wiggins said.
Meanwhile, Thibodeau and Butler, whose relationship dates back to 2011 with the Chicago Bulls, seem to have come to an agreement for the time being.
If the Timberwolves begin the season with Butler on the roster, they'll have until the Feb. 7 trade deadline to move him or risk losing him for nothing in free agency next summer.
