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It seems like Jimmy Butler is trying to force the Timberwolves to trade him.
Today, the disgruntled superstar forward showed up to practice a month after requesting a trade and put on a show.
All-Star Jimmy Butler participated in Minnesota's practice, a session that included him verbally challenging teammates, coaches and front office, league sources told ESPN. Butler was vociferous and emotional at times, targeting Thibodeau/Layden/Towns/Wiggins. Story soon on ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 10, 2018
At one point in a scrimmage, sources said, Butler turned to GM Scott Layden and screamed, "You (bleeping) need me. You can't win without me." Butler left teammates and coaches largely speechless. He dominated the gym in every way. Jimmy's back.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 10, 2018
According to Yahoo Sports Butler went hard at his younger teammates Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.
Via Yahoo
Throughout the practice, Butler verbally bashed Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, president of basketball operations/coach Tom Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden, league sources said.
Screaming from the top of his lungs, Butler uttered taunts at his teammates such as “They ain’t [expletive]!” and “They soft!”, league sources said. Most of the players knew the invectives were directed at Towns and Wiggins, league sources said.
At one point, Butler found himself guarding Towns in the post and when the big man received the entry pass, Butler yelled, “He can’t do [expletive] against me!” and Towns ended up kicking the ball out, league sources said.
When practice concluded, Butler stormed out of the facility without stretching with the rest of his teammates, league sources said.
Towns then huddled the players up with a message centered on everyone keeping their emotions in check, league sources said. But according to some of the players, the message was empty.
Butler spoke with ESPN after the practice and explained why he was so hard on his younger teammates in practice.
Via ESPN
Butler acknowledged that he can be hard on teammates, especially Towns, but he said on Wednesday that the All-Star center started it all by talking trash to him. And he responded.
“Am I being tough on him? Yeah, that’s who am I,” Butler said. “I’m not the most talented player on the team. Who is the most talented player on our team — KAT. Who is the most god-gifted player on our team — Wiggs. Who plays the hardest? Me! I play hard. I put my body [on the line] every day in practice, every day in games. That’s my passion. Everybody leads in different ways. That’s how I show I’m here for you.”
“I think that’s the part everybody doesn’t see,” he said. “I’m not going to say no names. I’m going to be honest, if your No. 1 priority isn’t winning, people can tell. That’s the battle. Now there is a problem between people. That’s where the disconnect is.”
The Miami Heat are currently attempting to trade for Jimmy Butler but the Wolves continue to play hard ball but after today’s practice it’s hard to see the Wolves allowing Jimmy Butler to practice with them again.