Report: Jimmy Butler Won't Join T-Wolves for Media Day, Start of Training Camp

Jimmy Butler was granted permission to skip Minnesota Timberwolves media day Monday after requesting a trade this week, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic added that Butler "will not be available for on-court activities" at the start of next week's training camp.

Charania reported Wednesday that Butler wanted out of Minnesota and that the four-time All-Star was hopeful a deal could be struck soon:

According to ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks are atop the Timberwolves star's preferred destinations list.

Since Butler's trade request became public, there have been conflicting reports about his future. Wojnarowski reported Friday that the Timberwolves had told teams around the league that they would not be trading the elite player only to report Saturday that Minnesota owner Glen Taylor was open to moving the shooting guard.

Butler helped the Timberwolves end a 13-season playoff drought during his first campaign in the Twin Cities. He averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game in 2017-18.

On July 13, Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News reported Butler turned down an extension in the four-year, $110 million range. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times had reported July 3 that Butler did not plan on signing an extension with Minnesota because of his discontent with young teammates, particularly Karl-Anthony Towns.

Now, it appears as though Butler and the Timberwolves have a little more time to figure out how to move forward since he will not be required to show up at the start of next week.