Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves chose to sit out the 2018 NBA All-Star Game at his own request in order to get some much-needed rest. The Wolves are off until Friday — that’s when they’ll visit the Western Conference-leading Houston Rockets (8 ET, ESPN) — and perhaps a roster change will take place in Minnesota between now and then.
The Wolves have been linked to Derrick Rose as a possible destination for the former Kia MVP winner who recently became a free agent. Rose was acquired by Utah in a blockbuster trade deadline-day deal by the Cleveland Cavaliers, but waived by the Jazz two days later. Butler played with Rose in Chicago from 2011-16 before Rose was traded to the New York Knicks.
Butler was asked during All-Star weekend about the chances of Minnesota adding Rose for the stretch run. Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune has more from Butler, who says he plans to give his input to Wolves coach/president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau on Rose:
After an NBA All-Star Game in which he chose not to play, Timberwolves star Jimmy Butler said he hasn’t talked to coach/president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau about whether free agent Derrick Rose can help their team win.
But Butler said he expects they will have that conversation.
“That’s not my job,” Butler said. “Is he a hell of a player? Yeah. But that’s up to Thibs and everybody else to figure if he has a place on this roster and this team. Obviously, I’ve played with him before. I know the talent he has. It’s not my job to say.”
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The Wolves already have starting point guard Jeff Teague and reserves Tyus Jones and Aaron Brooks.
“Does Thibs need to talk to me about it? Not really,’’ Butler said. ‘‘I will talk to him about it. I’m sure he’ll ask me as he always does. But it’s not my job. I’ll give my input, I’ll tell you that. I’ll give my input.”
In order for Rose to be on the playoff roster, the Wolves (or any other team) would have to sign him by March 1. In a recent interview with the Star Tribune, team owner Glen Taylor said he isn’t planning on signing Rose or any other free agent just yet.
Thibodeau has familiarity with Rose, who he coached from 2010-15 with the Bulls. Under Thibodeau, Rose won his MVP during the 2010-11 season.
