Jimmy Butler Won't Play vs. Blazers, Inactive Due to 'Precautionary Rest'

Butler missed Minnesota's matchup with Utah on Wednesday due to "precautionary rest."

Jimmy Butler will miss the Timberwolves' matchup with the Trail Blazers on Sunday the team confirmed, inactive due to "precautionary rest." It will be the second time Butler has been inactive in Minnesota's last three games after the four-time All-Star missed the Timberwolves win over the Jazz on Wednesday.

The Athletic's Shams Charania reported on Wednesday that Butler's decision to stay off the floor is the "next step in a six-week-long process aimed at getting the All-Star out of Minnesota." Butler's availability will be "determined on a game-by-game basis" per Charania. 

The Marquette product has made his wish to leave the Timberwolves clear. He requested a trade in a meeting with Tom Thibodeau on Sept. 18, then cursed at teammates and front-office personnel in his first practice of the season on Sept. 10. Butler will be a free agent in July 2019. 

Butler leads the Timberwolves in scoring with 22.3 points per game. Minnesota will enter Sunday's game at 4–5, sitting ninth in the Western Conference.