Jimmy Butler expected to play, has message for Timberwolves fans: 'Boo me'

Barring an 11th-hour breakthrough on a Jimmy Butler trade, it’s likely that the disgruntled forward will remain a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves as the season starts.

Despite all the bluster and internal team tumult, it sounds like Butler will be ready for business when the team tips its season Wednesday at the San Antonio Spurs.

Jimmy Butler expected to play season opener

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that Butler practiced on Sunday — with no reported incident — and will suit up against the Spurs.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau confirmed later Sunday that he does expect to have Butler on the court this week.

This lines up with earlier reports that Butler never planned to sit regular season games as he’s held out of practice and tried to force a trade out of Minnesota.

It sets up a fascinating storyline to open the season in Minnesota after Butler has made a public spectacle of insulting his teammates, coach and general manager. It’s also a situation that leaves him in a precarious situation with fans ahead of the team’s Friday home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had a message for them on Sunday.

Butler’s message for Minnesota fans

Butler told The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski Sunday that not only does he anticipate negative feedback, he welcomes it.

“Sure. Go ahead, boo me,” Butler said. “It ain’t going to change the way I play. That’s going to make me smile more. So please, come on with it.”

That’s brash and perfectly on target for the brand Butler has built through his tumultuous holdout. He’s not happy. He’s not afraid to make a scene. He doesn’t care what you think. And he’s a passionate basketball player who gives his all on the court.

Will drama spill over on the court?

It will be interesting to see if the Timberwolves can remain composed and block out the drama from the practice court to gameday. They still have one of the most talented young cores in the game and were a team to watch this season prior to the drama.

If they can actually gel and become a winner, Butler might mess around and end up in a situation that’s hard to leave.

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