You see them occasionally at Target Center or catching a glimpse in the background of a viral tunnel walk video. It’s that deep navy blue, or maybe the neon "Statement" green, with the number 23 and BUTLER stitched across the back. For some Minnesota fans, seeing a jimmy butler wolves jersey is like seeing a ghost of a relationship that ended in a spectacular, public kitchen fire. For others, it’s a badge of honor—a reminder of the one year the Timberwolves actually felt like a threat before the modern Anthony Edwards era took hold.
Honestly, the "Jimmy Buckets" era in Minneapolis was short. He played exactly 69 regular-season games for the franchise. That is it. Yet, the secondary market for his Timberwolves gear is weirdly resilient. You’d think a guy who forced his way out by screaming at the GM and beating the starters with a bunch of third-stringers would be erased from the city's memory. Instead, the jerseys have become cult classics.
The Infamous Practice and the Jersey That Survived
If you're looking for a jimmy butler wolves jersey today, you aren't just buying sports apparel. You are buying a piece of NBA mythology. We all know the story by now, but it bears repeating because it defines the jersey's legacy. In October 2018, Butler showed up to a practice, took the bench players, and absolutely dismantled Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. He was reportedly yelling, "You f***ing need me!" while wearing that practice pinnie.
That practice essentially ended his tenure, but it solidified his "alpha" persona. Because of that "villain" arc, the navy Icon edition and the white Association edition jerseys from that 2017-2018 season have a different energy than, say, a Kevin Love jersey. They represent a specific brand of basketball intensity that Minnesota hadn't seen since Kevin Garnett.
The Grail: The "Purple Rain" City Edition
If you really want to talk about the most sought-after jimmy butler wolves jersey, we have to talk about the 2018-19 City Edition. This was the legendary "Prince" jersey. It featured a deep purple colorway, "Wolves" in the iconic Prince font, and metallic silver accents that mimicked the studs on a motorcycle jacket.
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Jimmy only wore this jersey for a handful of games before he was shipped off to Philadelphia in November 2018.
Because his exit happened so early in that season, the production run for "Butler 23" Prince jerseys was relatively small compared to KAT or Wiggins. Finding an authentic Nike VaporKnit version of this jersey today is basically like finding a needle in a haystack. On sites like eBay or Grailed, these can fetch anywhere from $200 to $500 depending on the condition. It's the ultimate "what if" jersey. What if Jimmy had stayed and played the whole season in the Purple Rain threads?
Why People are Still Buying Them in 2026
It’s been years. Jimmy has since been through Philly, a long legendary run in Miami, and his more recent stint with the Golden State Warriors. So why would anyone want the Minnesota version?
- Irony and "Vibes": Gen Z sports fans love a "random" jersey. Wearing a Butler Wolves jersey is a conversation starter. It says you know your hoops history and you appreciate the chaos.
- The "Butler III" Transition: Interestingly, in 2025, Butler officially changed his jersey nameplate to "Butler III" to honor his late father. This makes the original "BUTLER" jerseys from his Minnesota and Chicago days feel like "vintage" artifacts from an earlier era of his career.
- The Playoff Drought Breaker: Before 2018, the Wolves hadn't made the playoffs in 13 years. Jimmy was the one who dragged them there. Fans who value winning over "Minnesota Nice" still respect that jersey for what it represented: the end of the dark ages.
Spotting a Fake vs. The Real Deal
Since these aren't being mass-produced anymore, you’re mostly looking at the resale market. You’ve got to be careful. A lot of the jimmy butler wolves jersey listings you see on discount sites are "reps" or high-quality fakes.
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If you're hunting for a real Nike Swingman, check the jock tag at the bottom left. The "NikeConnect" logo was a big thing back then. Even though the app is dead now, the chip inside the tag should be a physical bump you can feel. Also, look at the "Fitbit" sponsor patch. If it's stitched on poorly or the colors look slightly "off-navy," walk away. The authentic jerseys from that era had heat-pressed decals that were incredibly crisp.
The Financial Side of NBA Nostalgia
Is it a good investment? Kinda.
Unlike a LeBron or Steph jersey which is produced in the millions, Butler's Minnesota run was a flash in the pan. Scarcity drives value. If you have a New with Tags (NWT) jimmy butler wolves jersey in the "Statement" neon green, keep it. That neon jersey was polarizing at the time—people called it the "highlighter" jersey—but it has aged into a retro-futuristic aesthetic that collectors are starting to crave.
| Jersey Type | Estimated Resale Value (2026) | Rarity Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Association (White) | $60 - $90 | Common |
| Icon (Navy) | $70 - $110 | Common |
| Statement (Neon Green) | $120 - $180 | Hard to find |
| City (Prince Purple) | $300+ | Extremely Rare |
How to Style a 2010s Throwback
Actually wearing the thing is a choice. Since the Wolves' navy is so dark, it functions basically as a neutral. Throw it over a grey hoodie or wear it solo with some vintage-wash denim. It’s a loud jersey, especially if you have the neon green one, so keep the rest of the outfit muted. You're wearing a piece of history that screams "Third Stringers," so the confidence has to match.
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Where to look for one right now
Don't bother with the official NBA store; they cleared this stock out years ago. Your best bets are:
- eBay: Set alerts for "Butler 23 Wolves."
- Poshmark: You can often find "mall fans" selling their old gear for cheap because they just want it out of their closet.
- Local Twin Cities Thrift Stores: If you're actually in Minnesota, stores like Rewind or b. Resale occasionally get these in from disgruntled fans.
The Verdict on the 23
The jimmy butler wolves jersey is a complicated piece of clothing. It represents a brief moment of excellence and a long-lasting bridge-burning. But in the world of jersey collecting, "complicated" is usually another word for "valuable." Whether you think he was a locker room cancer or the only guy with the "dawg" in him, you can't deny the jersey looks sharp.
If you find a Prince edition in your size for under $200, buy it immediately. Don't think twice. The market for mid-2010s "drama" jerseys is only going up as that era becomes the new "vintage."
Your Next Steps for the Hunt
First, decide which era of "Jimmy" you want—the playoff hero or the practice-squad legend. Once you've picked a colorway, verify the Nike jock tag details against known authentic photos from the 2017 season. Check the stitching on the "23" carefully, as the authentic jerseys used a specific perforated twill that fakes almost always get wrong. If you're buying for investment, prioritize the City Edition "Prince" jerseys, as they are the only ones guaranteed to hold their value over the next decade.