San Antonio Spurs: Let’s rule out Jimmy Butler, for now

With Jimmy Butler declined a four-year extension from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and that may spark speculation of him going elsewhere. For now, let’s rule out the San Antonio Spurs.

The San Antonio Spurs might lose one superstar to a trade, but that does not mean they can’t get one back; maybe not today, next week or next season, but by the summer of 2019? Sure, why not? The NBA’s landscape consistently fluctuates, as star players bounce to different teams by the year.

Jimmy Butler may have added his name to the list of potential stars to make an offseason change. Sports reporter, Darren Wolfson, reported that Butler declined a four-year, $110 million extension from the Minnesota Timberwolves. That lines him up to become a free agent in 2019, pending there’s no agreement beforehand.

#Twolves All-Star Jimmy Butler has officially turned down the Wolves' 4-year, $110M range extension offer, per owner Glen Taylor. Full interview posting soon, which includes stuff on KAT extension talks, Thibs, filling out the roster, and #LosLynx.

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) July 13, 2018

That opens up the possibility that Butler goes elsewhere next season. If it’s the Spurs, fans were teased of this, when Butler liked a comment on Instagram that called for him to go to San Antonio. Although he did the same for other comments on the same photo, it still drew a few reactions.

Any thought of Butler to the Spurs is premature, however, as this declined extension could mean little, and just a way to get the Marquette product a grander deal; he can sign a five-year, $188 million contract with the Timberwolves by waiting until the 2019 offseason. That’s a $78 million increase, so why not wait?

Sure, Butler can still entertain other offers if he waits until July 2019, something that would likely make the Timberwolves nervous, let alone any team that’s in this situation. Maybe it’s from the New York Knicks.

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So, for now, let’s slow down on thinking Butler will leave Minnesota and join the Spurs. It’s possible, but he may have just followed a proper line to find more money and guarantee an extra year in what should be an even more chaotic summer, when the cap sees another significant spike.