It looks like Jimmy Butler is staying in the Western Conference after all ... for now.
Butler is expected to start the season with the Minnesota Timberwolves after practicing with the team on Sunday, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
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The 29-year-old shooting guard reportedly demanded a trade days before the Timberwolves were set to start training camp. The Miami Heat reportedly emerged as Butler's biggest suitor, and Minnesota backed out of a trade at the last minute.
Butler then returned to practice on Wednesday, reportedly taking trash to his teammates and telling Minnesota general manager Scott Layden "You {bleeping) need me!" The next day, the Timberwolves canceled practice and reportedly held a players-only meeting, where Butler told his teammates his issues were with management.
Minnesota opens the season in San Antonio on Wednesday, before its home opener on Friday. Butler told The Athletic's Jon Karawczynski he won't be deterred by a potentially icy reception from Timberwolves fans.
The Warriors don't play the Timberwolves until Nov. 2. Will Butler still be in a Minnesota uniform by then? As this whole saga has shown, anything is possible.