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LA Clippers Rumors: Butler meets with Thibs, continues push for trade

By Garrett Chorpenning

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 3: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game LA Clippers on December 3, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 3: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game LA Clippers on December 3, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LA Clippers trade target Jimmy Butler has reportedly met with Tom Thibodeau and reiterated his intentions of being traded, according to Shams Charania.

Jimmy Butler will probably get traded soon. Maybe. Hopefully. Well, he might. It just might not be soon. Or it might be.

The Minnesota

hostage

trade situation has been a puzzling one to watch lately, considering the divide that is present within the front office. Tom Thibodeau, head coach and president of basketball operations, has remained adamant in his stance of keeping Butler against his own wishes. On the other hand, there’s Owner Glen Taylor — and the other 97 percent of Minnesota’s front office — that wish to move Butler as soon as possible.

Early Tuesday morning, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Butler had met with Thibodeau on Monday in order to continue pushing for a trade.

Rumors have circulated about Butler’s possible destinations, and it seems Miami is the favorite of the bunch now. The LA Clippers are still involved in conversations, but the Heat seem the most willing to strike a deal with the hesitant Wolves.

The snag for the Clippers lays in Tobias Harris. Minnesota wishes to receive him in any deal done with Los Angeles, but Steve Ballmer and crew are reluctant to deal out their current franchise cornerstone.

Why the LA Clippers won't deal Harris. light. Related Story

Dealing Harris is a risky move. If at some point this season Butler decides against re-signing with the LA Clippers, the team will have effectively shipped out Harris, among others, for a one-year rental of Butler. That’s not always a bad thing, but in this case, when it doesn’t look like the Clippers would be competitive enough to win a title even with Butler this season, it seems a lot less like a smart move and more like a mortgage of the future.

Butler will reportedly rejoin the Timberwolves this season if he isn’t dealt before the regular season begins next week, but the focus of the franchise is still on trading him and receiving a sufficient return.

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