Jimmy Butler To Lakers Or Knicks? Wolves Coach Tom Thibodeau Not Worried

For fans concerned about how the upcoming 2018/19 NBA season will play out for the Minnesota Timberwolves, head coach Tom Thibodeau is one who is not particularly worried.

Last month, Jimmy Butler rejected a four-year, $110 million contract to stay in Minnesota and he could become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019. In addition, he is reported to be frustrated with the attitude of his younger teammates, in particular, fellow All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns.

Some reports are linking Butler with a potential move to join LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, while others state he could join his friend in Kyrie Irving in New York with the Knicks, with both joining the 2019 free agent class.

With James strengthening the West with his arrival in Los Angeles, making the playoffs will be even harder, and the uncertainty surrounding Butler and the team's current chemistry could derail Minnesota's recent hard work.

Butler arrived in Minnesota last year and along with Towns, helped the Wolves clinch a playoff spot (8) for the first time since 2004. While they would get eliminated 4-1 by the Houston Rockets in the first round, things were still looking good for the future.

The 2017/18 season saw the Wolves win 47 games, the first time they had a winning season since the Kevin Garnett era, while they also won 13 consecutive games at home and had 18 sellouts at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

It's easy to understand why fans are concerned with the recent developments. Thibodeau, though, says winning games will erase any concerns throughout the season.

"The winning will take care of that," he said Monday at the Minnesota State Fair, while also "respectfully" disagreeing with a fan who questioned the unity of the team. "I've been around a long time; I don’t buy into any of that stuff [about Butler]. You have to distinguish what’s real and what’s not real."

"You never heard any of that come from Jimmy’s mouth. It’s always a source close to Jimmy. If Jimmy has something to say to someone, he usually says it directly …The biggest thing is chemistry on the floor and winning. How efficient they are tells you there’s strong chemistry on the floor," he said.

While Butler rejected a contract last month, he could still stay in Minnesota by becoming a free agent and re-signing with them to make as much as $187 million. Of course, he could also become a free agent and depart elsewhere but for less money.

Regardless, Thibodeau is anticipating his decision and believes the 28-year-old is the future of the franchise.

"We wanted him to know how important he is to the future of the organization," Thibodeau added. "The winning will take care of that. We know the position we’re in. We have a lot to offer him. We think this is the best place for him, and it’s up to us to show him the reasons why."

The Wolves will begin their season against the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 17 in Texas. Their over/under win total was 44.5 games earlier this month, which means oddsmakers see them as the eighth and final team from the West making the playoffs.