The Jimmy Butler circus is finally over in Minnesota, and the Timberwolves are now looking like a competent squad now that things have settled down. Minnesota is 4-2 since trading Butler and Justin Patton for Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless and a second-round pick, and they’re coming off a matinee victory over the Nets.
The Wolves’ defense has enjoyed a significant turnaround since starting the season as one of the league’s worst units. Minnesota is fifth in defensive rating post-Butler trade, per NBA.com, with Covington playing a big role on that end.