Sports
With Butler In Fold, Wolves Ready To Shop For Free Agents
Jimmy Butler has a new team with the Timberwolves. Now he has work to do, when free agency begins: Persuade some of his peers to join him.
BLOOMINGTON, MN — Jimmy Butler has a new team with the Timberwolves. He's had his warm welcome to Minnesota. Now he has work to do, when free agency begins: Persuade some of his peers around the league to join him.
As Wolves officials introduced Butler at a news conference Thursday at the Mall of America, they touted a belief that this up-and-coming team will be a desired destination on the open market.
The Wolves acquired Butler from Chicago in a draft-night trade. The deal sent point guard Kris Dunn and shooting guard Zach LaVine, their first-round draft picks in 2016 and 2014, to the Bulls.
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The teams also swapped first-rounders, with Minnesota moving down to No. 16 for center Justin Patton and Chicago taking power forward Lauri Markkanen with the No. 7 spot.
Photo credit: Minnesota Timberwolves new point guard Jimmy Butler smiles during a press conference at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., on Thursday, June 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)