More of the Same

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Man, this franchise just can't get out of its own way.

The Athletic (which if you're a Wolves fan and you're not following Jon Krawczynski you're doing it wrong) was the first to report that Jimmy Butler is asking to be traded away from the Timberwolves just days before the franchise's media day, and just a few weeks before training camp.

So to recap, it's been a little more than a year since the Wolves got Butler from the Chicago Bulls. Minnesota shipped youngsters Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and the draft pick that turned into Lauri Markkanen. Those are three pretty promising players with upside. In return, the Wolves got 59 (very good) games from Butler and one game of Chicago's draft pick Justin Patton, who is now dealing with another serious injury. The Wolves got to the playoffs for the first time in I think 40 years, but they were quickly disposed of by the Houston Rockets in 5 games.

It looked like the writing was on the wall, as there's been multiple reports for months now about a disconnect between Butler and the Wolves young superstar Karl-Anthony Towns. KAT also hasn't signed his rookie max extension, which many consider a simple step for a young player, but not for this franchise. Shams Charania reported that Towns wouldn't sign an extension until the Butler situation was resolved. Well, it looks like it might be resolved soon.

This is just another problem for a floundering franchise. I could list all the issues, but my hands would get tired from typing everything. We'll see how this all plays out in upcoming weeks, but I'm sure it will end up terrible just like everything else Minnesota Timberwolves.