10 bold predictions for 2018-19 NBA season

9. Jimmy Butler isn’t traded until February

This bold prediction comes with significantly less confidence after the unforgettable events of Wednesday morning, but then again, since Tom Thibodeau might actually view Jimmy Butler’s Jake Shuttlesworth routine as leadership, maybe the Minnesota Timberwolves still won’t get this right. Maybe Jimmy yelling “YOU [BLEEPING] NEED ME! YOU CAN’T WIN WITHOUT ME!” just sent the exact opposite message Thibs needed to hear.

After Butler demanded a trade, showed up late to practice, subbed himself into a scrimmage, berated his teammates, coach and general manager, and subsequently dominated the practice and news cycle alike, it’s plain as day he’s got to go. But Thibs is one of the most stubborn execs in the business, and he still might not be deterred to trade someone who just showed how soft Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins still are.

Butler’s presence feels downright toxic at this point, but if both Thibodeau and GM Scott Layden continue to hold out and expect a king’s ransom with zero leverage, they may not orchestrate a deal until the absolute last second at the trade deadline. The Wolves will lose him for nothing in free agency if they don’t trade him, but this no-brainer decision hasn’t happened yet. Until owner Glen Taylor intervenes by making a trade himself or firing Thibs, this unbelievably dysfunctional situation may stretch longer than anyone expected.