Tom Thibodeau: Jimmy Butler to Play in 'Shorter Segments' Amid Trade Rumors

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau said Wednesday that Jimmy Butler would play in "shorter segments" in the team's season opener against the San Antonio Spurs since he didn't play during the preseason, according to Kyle Ratke of the team's website. 

Butler, of course, skipped the preseason amid his desire to be traded. That request has yet to be granted, with Butler reporting to the team last week, though it has left the star wingman without any game time ahead of Wednesday night's contest. 

Butler's future in Minnesota remains murky, however, with owner Glen Taylor confirming the team will still be active on the trade market.

"The latest is he is going to be going to practice every day, which he has been, and plans to play in games," Taylor told Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune. "He will be a regular team player. What I said to him in the meantime is our GM, Scott Layden, will be talking to other teams to see if there is a trade that works."

Taylor also noted that he doesn't believe Butler has a future with the Wolves beyond this season.

"I think [Butler has] made it very clear that he would not re-sign with us at the end of the year and therefore it is in our interest to get a trade so that we can get a player or two to replace him that helps our team," he said.

As for Thibodeau's role in the trade talks, Taylor said he's asked him to focus on coaching during the season while Taylor and Layden seek trade packages and that Thibodeau—the team's president of basketball operations—is on the same page:

"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."

It's been a wild few weeks for the Wolves, from the revelation of Butler's trade demand to a fiery practice made public. Now, it's unclear just what to expect from the Wolves, a playoff team last season that was expected to be one of the young teams on the rise in the Western Conference, with one of the most polished big men in the game in Karl-Anthony Towns, a young wing dripping in talent in Andrew Wiggins and a two-way superstar in Butler. 

But the chemistry between the three players has never quite developed, and in the loaded West, it's fair to question if the Wolves can make a playoff run this season given the turmoil and uncertainty surrounding Butler. If he is dealt, can the Wolves get anything close to market value considering he'll be a free agent next season?

If for no other reason, the Wolves will be an interesting team to watch this season as those questions are answered.