I can never follow how fans decide whether to back the Franchise player or the Coach....always seems circumstantial, based on rumor and whether they like the player or coach. I always back the Coach, unless (and until) they lose their lockerroom or Franchise players. There's a hard line in the sand, and they failed Job Requirement #1, Franchise-Player mgmt, ruining a full-value trade, instead. This is a weird case, because KATs playoff performance v Capela and Butler's status in my mind as True Warrior has made me not back the Franchise, but apparently Thibs can't manage relationships with either player. My guts ranks it like this 1) Butler 2) Coach, since he lost Butler 3) Kid, since he seems to whine about both 1 and 2 (point fingers syndrome)
Yup. If Thibs deals Butler, it isn't going to be young players or draft picks. It is going to be for players he wants to coach and are veterans to help him win. I could completely see him leave millions of dollars on the table to walk away from Minnesota. Thibs is a lot better coach than he showed in Minnesota, but he needs more veteran players and players than fit his system. Thibs knows that Wiggins and KATT are not going to lead a team anywhere.
Will Taylor consent to a Butler "Thibs veteran package" trade? Or will Taylor be smart and get picks knowing he might want Thibs gone?
Thibs can manage his relationship with Butler. The issue isn't Thibs but the market and the franchise. As for KAT, I just don't think he mentally is the player that the Wolves hoped he would be. He isn't someone with a consistent motor or a real proactive personality. I usually side with the Coach as well, especially one that clearly knows the game and has a history of success. The Wolves have to look themselves in the mirror and admit to themselves, that their rebuild failed and that KAT and Wiggins isn't going to get them anywhere. Either they let Thibs deal those guys for players that fit his system, or they let him go and try to rebuild again. It sucks for the Wolves fans, they looked like they really had something cooking after drafting KAT and his rookie season.... but like the MAVS team of Kidd, Jackson and Mashburn...... it is fools gold.
I really don't know honestly. Taylor has a history of being loyal, but he also has been looking for a franchise player since Garnett slowed down. It is going to be extremely hard for Taylor to admit that KAT and Wiggins are never going to lead a team far. Also, I promise you there are some whispering in Taylor's ear that the problem is Thibs and not the young players.... which is what Taylor wants to hear. From the Rockets perspective, we want Thibs to remain in control because our possible package likely fits Thibs needs. However, if you put a gun to my head, I think that Taylor and Thibs agree to part with Thibs giving up some of the money on his deal.
[Tom Habestroh] Clutch Moments Defined Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns' Relationship: "Over the six-month span from November to April, that was the only Towns basket Butler assisted during clutch situations"
You're over-analyzing. I still think Thibs would want those players. Look at the people he's been signing. Crawford, Rose, Deng.
If there is a coach that would just say "No" and walk away, it is Thibs. He is extremely stubborn and does not need take any family considerations into his decision. Thibs lives in a hotel, he has no children or girlfriend. He does nothing but basketball.
Dude i'm not over-analyzing, we're talking about Tom Thibodeau having this defensive starting 5: Towns (below average defender) Harris (below average defender) Wiggins (below average defender) Lou (below average defender) Teague (below average defender) That's basically like going out there with Pau Gasol, Melo, Waiters, Jamaal Crawford and Lin... How do you expect someone, especially like Thibs, to build a team like this? He would be hospitalized in psychiatry after one week.
It was the additions of Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson, and, most importantly, Butler that enabled the Wolves make the playoffs for the first time in roughly two decades. If their owner can't see that, he deserves to watch his team suck every year.
They would have one above average defender in the starting lineup because unless traded, Taj Gibson would start at power forward. Harris would play the three and Wiggins the two, with Lou in his customary 6th man role. As an aside, if Butler does go to the Clippers and Lou is traded, you have to feel for him. He balls out for Doc Rivers and signs an extension thinking he finally found an NBA home, only to get traded.
[Wojnarowski] The likelihood of a trading happening quickly is almost nil. Thibs made it clear to Butler in the meeting he does not want to trade him he wants to try to win with him.
That's possible i guess, i forgot about Gibson, but Harris at the 3 makes them even worse on defense...and if Gibson is going to stay there i don't see a big reason to ask for Harris in the first place since he plays the same spot, i mean, if you trade for a stretch 4, you do it to play him at the 4, not at the 3.
This was said about Leonard too and he got traded in what? A couple of weeks? I don't see how they start the season with Butler on the roster at this point.
