Can Butler, who refused to renew his contract in advance, bet on a future for himself and Owen?

Can Butler, who refused to renew his contract in advance, bet on a future for himself and Owen?

While other playoff teams are busy strengthening their lineup, the Timberwolves are constantly making tidbits that may become soap operas.

Since the end of last season, the team has been undercurrent: Wiggins and his teammates were quite dissatisfied with their being the third choice of the team and were subsequently sold; Downs then fired Legree, assistant coach from Spurdu, Barton, shooting coach and Bourne, assistant of image analysis, who were dissatisfied with the team. Now here comes another one: Butler directly complains that his teammates are too lazy, and the defensive end has never improved, leaving him in a passive position.

Downs' previous dissatisfaction may have been "appeased" because you didn't see any follow-up. Maybe the Timberwolves prepared a big contract to comfort him, just like his Kentucky classmate Booker did with the Sun a while ago. Wiggins, whether on or off the court, has always given people a feeling of peace of mind, so the previous news even made people doubt its authenticity. But Butler, the oldest of the three, should have been the most mature and steady, but made it clear that he would fight against the team.

Let's start with what he did this summer: he expressed his dissatisfaction with his teammates in a seemingly low emotional intelligence way, and then praised all social media that supported him to join other teams, whether it was the Spurs, Celtics or Knicks. Now he directly rejected the Timberwolves' intention to renew the contract in advance-the salary offered by the team is $654.38 billion for four years. After reading these ridiculous things he has done, many people may think that he is too arrogant. But I'm sorry, people do have the capital to do this. Just look at the situation last season.

In last year's draft, the Bulls finally sent Butler away (Butler was shelved by the Bulls' management every year after winning the first prize, and their stubbornness in trading Butler even surpassed the Rockets' pursuit of Anthony) and traded to the Timberwolves. At first, Butler didn't take much responsibility for the team's tactics. He is more like a man behind the Wolf clan. But even though there were three giants at that time, the timberwolves' record could only linger in the second half of the playoffs. Until Butler officially closed the team, the top three records we saw later were only the eighth in the West because of injuries and other reasons.

But fortunately, it survived the risk. Last season, the Timberwolves entered the playoffs again after 14. Spudu has coached this timberwolves for less than a year, but Shuangshao started to cooperate from 20 15. Why did he only make achievements last season? Butler's toughness and defense are very important to the team, but it is not an exaggeration to say that he is the greatest hero. When he tried his best for the team, the young people of the team understood slowly, the defense did not improve, the training was lazy, and even the attitude on the court was questionable. It's not surprising. Why is he outspoken?

Rejecting the offer offered by the Timberwolves is not only unbearable for his teammates, but also because he can get more by waiting for another year. 20 15 signed a five-year contract with the bulls for $87.74 million. In the 2019/20 season, he has the option to jump out of the contract. If Butler chooses to renew his contract with the Timberwolves in advance this summer, according to the provisions of the league salary terms, his starting salary for the 20 18- 120% and his contract for the 20 18- 19 season should be1. But if Taylor chooses to renew his contract with the Timberwolves at the top salary next summer, he can get a starting salary of about $32.7 million. At that time, he can sign a five-year maximum salary, with a total value of 65.438+0.9 billion-if he renews his contract one year in advance, he will earn nearly 65.438+0.0 billion less. I think he and his team will agree.

On the one hand, it's for money, on the other hand, it's because of Owen. Just now I mentioned that he praised netizens for suggesting that he and Owen play together in the Knicks next year. Coincidentally, Owen seems to have such a plan. The two are teammates of the national team and have a close personal relationship. And they do have the prerequisite to play together: 20 19 can become free agents. It is worth mentioning that Owen recently rejected the Celtics' request for an early contract renewal, and euphemistically called "concentrate on playing for another season." Owen and Butler also renewed their contracts in advance by dragging their feet, earning far less than signing directly. Combined with James and Wade agreeing to sign a 3+ 1 contract, these two people may have planned it long ago.

But what Butler did was also a gamble. First of all, the Timberwolves may not have the salary space to offer the top salary for three players-after all, Downs is also facing the problem of renewing his contract. If he doesn't promise now, he may not get the salary of 65.438+0.9 billion in five years. Besides, the injury is also a problem that we have to think twice: Butler used to be an iron man, but even the iron man came to meniscus tear in the Timberwolves. What will happen in the future? Who can give a guarantee? For the timberwolves management, entering the playoffs is not a feat, and now it is time to test them.

However, Butler's current stalemate with the team does not mean that there is no positive significance in it-at this point in time, his temper is a double-edged sword. Since he and Owen both want to play for the same team, why not the Timberwolves? First of all, the Timberwolves have now expressed their wish to keep Butler in the team. The friction between the two sides is mainly about the time period and salary of renewal. Butler should be willing to stay in the team-he may not get such a salary elsewhere. Interestingly, Owen has also proposed to the Cavaliers four teams he wants to join, including the Timberwolves. It can be seen that both of them can play for this small ball city team.

But even if Owen can come, the Timberwolves can't have him-just said, it's already difficult to have three top-paying contracts, let alone four? However, considering the current situation, it seems that the two young champions are both anxious and uneasy about their situation. On the other hand, Spurdu has been recruiting his former bulls: Butler, Ross and Gibson. It is even reported that he tried to sign him after Noah and Knicks bought him out. As a controlling coach, during his two years in office, he almost replaced the original Timberwolves' teaching assistants and even players. Lavin's talent is excellent enough, but the poor defense is unbearable. Spock sent him away directly, which shows that the war is decisive. If Downs and Wiggins behave like this, then when Sibu loses patience, he can do anything.

For the timberwolves, the current situation is the real crisis. The danger is that once they make mistakes, they may make last season's good results a flash in the pan, and the opportunity is that the team may transform and become stronger according to Spurdu's ideas.

After all, we have seen the achievements of the Wolf clan in leading the team. We have also seen changes since Butler joined us. We know Owen's strength in the league.