It鈥檚 a reflection on how toxic the atmosphere around the Timberwolves has become that noted provocateur Kevin Garnett appeared to be a voice of reason from the outside looking in over the weekend. No stranger to the type of trash talking that erstwhile top dog Jimmy Butler hitherto resorted to in practice, the future Hall of Famer argued in an interview with The Athletic鈥檚 Jon Krawczynski that 鈥渂oth sides are a little delusional.鈥
Here鈥檚 the thing, though: Garnett is right. He鈥檚 on the mark in pointing out that Butler doesn鈥檛 have 鈥渢he power to come out and force a trade like this … I think Jimmy thinks his worth is a little more than what it is.鈥 He鈥檚 likewise correct in contending that the Timberwolves are in 鈥渁 s — tstorm鈥 that figures to be better addressed sooner rather than later. 鈥淚鈥檓 just hoping they can get through this rough patch and everybody can get on the same patch and figure it out.鈥
Significantly, 鈥檚 Adrian Wojnarowski disclosed that Butler鈥檚 alpha-male bellicosity in practice lit a fire under the Timberwolves. The scribe said 鈥渕any of the Minnesota players left practice energized by [his] performance, mesmerized with him taking several end-of-the-bench players and running the table in scrimmage games against the regulars.鈥 The implicit message: He鈥檚 a leader who鈥檚 just bent on motivating those around him.
Which is all well and good, save for a couple of crucial facts. First, Butler wants a change of address, and he believes the problem he has with the Timberwolves won鈥檛 be solved by anything other than a divorce. Second, the future belongs to Karl-Anthony Towns, who鈥檚 all of 22, and who just inked a five-year, $190-million contract. Going off during a scrimmage with an eye out the door serves only to inflate self-worth and runs counter to promoting esprit de corps, especially when the heir apparent possesses a more subdued personality.
To be sure, the Timberwolves have become equally complicit. By refusing to deal Butler as fast as possible, they鈥檙e perpetuating a fractured status quo. They let him run practice supposedly to prop his teammates up, and then allow him to miss the next preseason game. Little wonder, then, that they wound up suffering a loss debilitating enough for Towns to publicly lament its implications.
Clearly, the Timberwolves need to take a stand, and pronto. Above all else, they have to ship Butler out before the regular season starts later this week. Sure, they鈥檒l be getting pennies to the dollar. Considering how they鈥檝e latched on to Towns, however, they have no choice but to take a step back now in order to move two steps ahead. Else, they鈥檒l be taking a myopic view at the expense of long-term gains; they鈥檒l be riding on the shoulders of a workhorse who can鈥檛 wait to leave at the expense of another All-Star, who needs to be given a chance to shine even by force of circumstance.
For the Timberwolves, yesterday should have been the time to act. Butler鈥檚 departure can鈥檛 come soon enough.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994.
