Butler to miss Wolves' media day, start of camp

Apr 25, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) drives past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jimmy Butler (23) for the basket in the second half in game five of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports·Reuters· (Reuters)

Jimmy Butler has received permission from the Minnesota Timberwolves to skip the team's media day on Monday and he will not be available for the start of training camp on Tuesday, The Athletic reported on Saturday. Earlier this week, the four-time All-Star guard reportedly requested a trade and expressed interest in the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Butler, 29, appeared in 59 games last season for the Timberwolves, averaging 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.0 steals. He is entering the fourth season of a five-year, $92.3 million contract he signed with Chicago in 2015, but he can enter the free agent market next summer by opting out of the final year. He is scheduled to earn a base salary of $18.7 million in 2018-19. In July, Butler reportedly turned down Minnesota's four-year extension offer worth $110 million. --Field Level Media

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