Thibodeau reacts to Butler trade: 'It was what was best for the organization'

The Minnesota Timberwolves finally pulled the trigger on a trade for Jimmy Butler on Monday, and president/head coach Tom Thibodeau is satisfied with the haul his team was able to procure from the Philadelphia 76ers.

"I said from the beginning: You always have to put the organization first," Thibodeau said Monday, according to ESPN's Malika Andrews. "So you set the parameters for what you are looking for, and once we felt we got to that point where the offers met some of the things we were looking for, then we said, 'OK, now it's time.'"

In what Thibodeau described as being a "good deal," the Timberwolves landed Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless, and a 2022 second-rounder from Philadelphia in exchange for Butler and 2017 first-round pick Justin Patton.

The process of trying to move the All-Star forward was long and arduous, with Thibodeau having reportedly shunned several packages along the way which included rebuilding pieces and not the proven commodities he desired.

Thibodeau shut down the notion that he was prioritizing acquiring players who could help the Timberwolves win games now instead of looking towards the future.

"Not really. It was what was best for the organization," he added. "Obviously, getting good players was a priority. The pick part was important. We felt we got a good pick from Philly.

"It was what does it mean for the team? If you get two rotational players, that's good. If you can get a pick, that allows you to do more things. I think that's all part of it. You're always trying to think about what the possibilities could be."

Butler will be in uniform Wednesday night when the Sixers take on the Orlando Magic.