Jimmy Butler has the support of at least one player in the NBA as speculation continues to build around the future of the Timberwolves star following his trade request.
Thunder guard Paul George told reporters Friday he spoke with Butler about what is happening in Minnesota and believes Butler has "a very valid point."
"I'm on Jimmy's side," George said (via ESPN). "It's not coming from a place where he's going against an organization."
George, who was in a similar situation with the Pacers during the 2017 offseason after telling the organization he planned to leave as a free agent the following year, went on to say he's "all for what Jimmy is trying to do over there."
"Jimmy's a guy, his whole career, he made it into the league off work, off him having to grind and scratch and claw to get to where he's at," George added. "And then he sees the potential he has around him and he just wants guys to match that because if guys are skilled and have that 'it' like KAT (Karl-Anthony Towns) has, like Andrew Wiggins has, they have that 'it' that a lot of guys don't have, now they just have to match it with what Jimmy's bringing to the table.
"He wants the best for that organization and is trying to bring out everything for that organization to get to where they want to get to."
George's defense of Butler comes after the Timberwolves star returned to practice this week, though he didn't play in Friday's 143-121 preseason loss to the Bucks.
Tensions between the team and Butler escalated Wednesday, when he reportedly told the team "you f—ing need me" and criticized management, coach Tom Thibodeau, general manager Scott Layden, plus teammates Towns and Wiggins.
The outburst came after a proposed blockbuster deal between the Timberwolves and Heat reportedly fell apart last weekend right before a trade was completed because Minnesota wanted too many assets for Butler.
