NBA notebook: Wolves owner wants Butler trade; Thibodeau doesn't

The message from Minnesota's front office has been the same each time -- the
Timberwolves intend to keep their star forward, according to ESPN. Head coach
and team president Tom Thibodeau -- who oversees general manager Scott Layden
-- does not want to trade Butler.

But ESPN also reported that owner Glen Taylor is expected to be involved in
any discussions about a potential trade, and is far more willing to unload
Butler than the front office. ESPN reported later Friday that Taylor told
others at the Board of Governors meeting that Butler is available and
inquiries should come through Taylor, if necessary.

"The owner's trading him," a Board of Governors attendee told ESPN. "That was
made clear. It's just a matter of when."

--Dirk Nowitzki has come off the bench 31 times in 20 NBA seasons. The future
Hall of Famer could more than double that number this season.

The 40-year-old Nowitzki is accepting of a reserve role with the Dallas
Mavericks, and saw it coming when the team signed free agent center DeAndre
Jordan in the offseason.

"When we signed DeAndre, it was pretty much clear in my head that I'm coming
off the bench," Nowitzki said at the Mavericks' media day. "It's all about
winning, at the end of the day. Whatever puts us in the best position to win
is what we're going to roll with. ...If that's the case, and I'm coming off
the bench, we better keep (an exercise) bike ready and keep a couple of
massage therapists in the back, and I'll be ready to go."

--Three rules changes were approved by the NBA Board of Governors.

Beginning with the 2018 NBA preseason, the shot clock will reset to 14 seconds
in offensive rebounding situations, as opposed to 24; the clear-path foul rule
will be simplified; and the definition of a "hostile act" will be expanded for
purposes of triggering instant replay review.

The shot clock goes to 14 seconds following offensive rebounds, a measure
aimed at increasing shot attempts particularly late in close games. The shot
clock reset to 24 seconds anytime the ball hit the rim in previous seasons.

--NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a memo to all 30 teams urging them to
hire, promote and protect women in the workplace.

The memo comes one day after the findings of an investigation into sexual
harassment and workplace misconduct with the Dallas Mavericks. Silver asked
teams to review the investigative findings and adhere to portions of the
demands in place for the Dallas organization.

"Respect and integrity are core NBA values," Silver wrote in the memo,
published by ESPN. "And we must all work to ensure that they are reflected in
the culture and workplaces of our organizations."

--Field Level Media