Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 biggest disappointments from the 2018-19 NBA season

1. The trade of Jimmy Butler

The Timberwolves had emerged as winners at the 2017 NBA Draft when they swung a deal to acquire Jimmy Butler. A multiple-time All-Star, his brash personality was supposed to crack the shells of Minnesota’s two young studs while it was hoped that his defensive effort would trickle down to the rest of the roster.

Any thoughts of a bright future with him in town were quickly shot down when it was reported in September that Jimmy had requested out of Minnesota. Even worse, Butler had originally expressed his non-committal feelings to the organization over the summer when the Wolves tried to offer him a max contract extension.

The Timberwolves didn’t give up a king’s ransom to acquire Butler’s services. In fact, many felt they had stolen him from the Bulls. Zach LaVine was in the midst of rehabbing a torn ACL. Kris Dunn had a disappointing rookie season, and the first round pick — seventh overall used by Chicago to select Lauri Markkanen — is never a guaranteed boom.

Still, it’s never fun when a team is forced to trade arguably its best player, one who helped end a 14-year playoff drought in Minnesota last season. Had Butler not missed 24 games, the Wolves likely would’ve sat firmly in the postseason picture instead of facing another trip to the draft lottery.

Both Robert Covington and Dario Saric — the return for Butler from the Philadelphia 76ers — should be nice, cap-friendly pieces moving forward. Neither provides the star power Butler does. In a league run by those with the most talent, it’s the only thing that really counts for a Timberwolves team still far behind.