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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 25:  Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts in the second half during Game Five of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas.  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.  (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 25: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts in the second half during Game Five of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas. 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. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)Tim Warner/Getty Images

Jimmy Butler Rejects Timberwolves' 4-Year, $110M Contract Extension Offer

Kyle Newport
Jul 13, 2018

Amid reports of his frustration with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler has rejected a long-term deal with the team.

According toย Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News,ย Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said Butler turned down a four-year extension in the $110 million range.

Wolfsonย added that Butler appreciated the offer but knew it made more sense financially to wait until next summer when he can cash in even moreโ€”barring serious injury.

This comes less than two weeks afterย Joe Cowleyย of theย Chicago Sun-Timesย reportedย Butler hasย no intentions of signing an extension with the organization because heย "has been frustrated with the nonchalant attitudes of younger teammatesโ€”specifically Karl-Anthony Towns."

On Thursday, Cycle'sย Thomas Duffyย pointed out that the Minnesota guard liked an Instagram comment that suggested he and Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving team up with the New York Knicks next summer.

Butler is under contract for $18.7 million next season and holds a $19.8 million player option for the 2019-20 season, perย Spotrac. When asked about his star's reported unhappiness, Minnesota head coach Tomย Thibodeau sidestepped the question.

"We know how important Jimmy is to the team,"ย Thibodeau said Monday, perย ESPN.com's Nick Friedell.ย "But we don't talk about contract negotiations or anything like that, so just get ready for the season."

Butler had another solid performance in his first year in Minnesota, averaging 22.2 points on career-high 47.4 percent shooting while adding 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. His strong play earned him a fourth consecutive All-Star nod.

Teaming Butler with former No. 1 overall picks Towns and Andrew Wiggins figured to make the Timberwolves a force in the Western Conference. However, the T-Wolves had to fight to the wire to make the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, and the Houston Rockets eliminated them in the first round.

Now, Minnesota will have to determine how it will handle Butler as he enters his walk year. The team can hope that he turned down this offer strictly for financial purposes and try to re-sign him next summer, or it can explore his trade market over the next few months so it doesn't risk losing him for nothing in free agency.