Report: Jimmy Butler Removes Himself From Lineup, Refuses To Play

Jimmy Butler is still filling headlines, and NBA fans still discuss over the reasons he had to leave the Minnesota Timberwolves lineup.

Is Jimmy Butler actually pulling out his old tricks? Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic explained that Butler will actually sit out Thursday’s contest against the Utah Jazz. The whole thing may even develop into an “extended absence.”

Butler played in almost every game this season, and has averages of 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. The Timberwolves star was shooting 48.0 percent from beyond the arc.

Let’s be honest, Butler made a really interesting decision, because he was excellent on the court. He played well with his teammates, but experts predicted his next move. It is more than obvious that Butler is trying to leave the team as soon as possible, and this is his only way to make the organization agree to a trade.

Well, Butler’s plan may not work, as the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement does not allow him to withhold services to the team that signed him as long as he is healthy enough to play and contribute to the team.

“A player who withholds playing services called for by a Player Contract for more than thirty (30) days after the start of the last Season covered by his Player Contract shall be deemed not to have ‘complet(ed) his Player Contract by rendering the playing services called for thereunder.’ Accordingly, such a player shall not be a Veteran Free Agent and shall not be entitled to negotiate or sign a Player Contract with any other professional basketball team unless and until the Team for which the player last played expressly agrees otherwise.”

Let’s see how will things develop for Butler. Nothing changes the fact that he wants to leave the Timberwolves. So, yes, he will have to think of a better solution.