David Levine
Posts: 74884
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Las Vegas
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From the StarTrib.... Taylor was asked to assess how Tom Thibodeau, the Wolves coach and president of basketball operations, has handled the Butler situation. "Well, I'm OK with it," Taylor said. "Initially, when Butler told [Thibodeau] he wanted to leave, you know Tom did everything he could to try to keep Jimmy here and I understand that. They have a close relationship. "Thibs brought him here so that he would stay here. But eventually I think that in listening to Jimmy, Thibs and I are lined up on this. We need to be looking at a trade." Thibodeau has three years left on a five-year contract worth about $40 million. Is he coaching for his job? "No, no, the only thing now is that we are starting to play games and I am asking him to concentrate on coaching," Taylor said. "GM Scott Layden will help to see if any trades are available." Some media outlets this week reported Butler requested a trade immediately following the Wolves' exit from the playoffs last season. Taylor said as far as he knows, that is incorrect. "Back about three weeks ago, when [Butler's request] came out in the news, Thibodeau called me and said that he had a meeting with Butler out on the West Coast, and Butler had told him at that time he wanted to be traded," Taylor recalled. "That was the first I had heard anything about it." While supposedly the reason Butler wants out is because he questions the work ethic of Towns and Wiggins, Taylor said all three players have told him they can collaborate on the court. "When I ask them, they all have said they can play together in the games," he said. "I don't know why they wouldn't be telling me their true feelings." Is Taylor still happy he hired Thibodeau in April of 2016? "Yes, yes, he is a good coach and I have faith in him," he said.
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