Jimmy Butler has requested a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves, per Shams Charania- The Athletic. Butler’s list consists of the Knicks, Clippers and Nets-Woj.
Outside of Butler’s listed teams, I’ve come up with other possible landing spots.
The scenarios I’ve come up with are mostly based on the possibility of him sticking around in the future(cap space), and the functionality of the trade.
Enjoy, and feel free to share any other possibilities on Twitter @IamDreTwice.
New York Knicks
NYK Trades: Enes Kanter, Tim Hardaway Jr., ’19 1st Round (Top 5 Protected)
MIN Trades: Jimmy Butler, Gorgui Dieng
Rumors have been floating around about the three destinations Butler has requested. New York has been a commonality in most reports. With the consistent rumors about a possible team up with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in 2019, the Knicks may actually return to prominence soon. I think there should be better offers than this on the table for Minnesota, but if they like the prospects in the 2019 draft, the Knicks should be bad this season regardless.
Brooklyn Nets
BKN Trades: D’Angelo Russell, DeMarre Carroll
MIN Trades: Jimmy Butler
Minnesota could make a triumvirate of three of the league’s most polarizing young players if they add D’Angelo Russell. Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell have been friends for a long time, possibly enticing the T-Wolves, as it appeases Towns. Butler going to the Nets could pave the way for the Nets to sign Kyrie in 2019. Kyrie has been rumored to have the New York teams on his short list, and with Butler on the roster, the Nets could become a top team in the East in less than a year.
Miami Heat
MIA Trades: Justise Winslow or (Josh Richardson), Kelly Olynyk, ’19 1st Round Pick
MIN Trades: Jimmy Butler
Miami could put together several different packages. Most of the players on the Heat have an edge that Thibodeau is fond of. The market for Butler oustide of the Knicks, Nets and Clippers is relatively unknown. With the risk of Butler leaving after the 2019 season, offers could end up being filled with less assets than they normally would. Getting Jimmy Butler would propel the Heat into contending for home court in the East. But is it worth losing key assets for a rental?
- If Miami wants to trade Winslow(3.4 Mil) instead of Richardson(9.3 Mil), they’ll need to add Wayne Ellington(6.3 Mil) to the deal to work.
- Tyler Johnson and former bull, James Johnson could be involved as well
Toronto Raptors
TOR Trades: O.G. Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka, ‘21 1st Round Pick
MIN Trades: Jimmy Butler
TOR Trades: Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam
MIN Trades: Jimmy Butler
The first trade scenario probably guarantees GM Masai Ujiri the next two “Executive Of The Year” awards. The market would need to be slimmer for this trade to be executed, but it still works out well for both teams. The Timberwolves receive two building blocks in Anunoby and Siakam. Two wings to go along with Towns and Wiggins. Fred Van Vleet probably won’t be included in any possible deals because Thibodeau would rather have Derrick Rose and Jeff Teague. Ibaka serves as salary filler and an average piece at this point. The ’21 First Round pick is the cherry on top of the deal, ultimately completing it.
The Kyle Lowry deal allows the Timberwolves to remain competitive, bringing in a star guard and a good young player in Pascal Siakam. Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors become a team with the potential of being just as good, if not better than Boston.
Los Angeles Clippers
LAC Trades: Tobias Harris, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or (Pat Beverley)
MIN Trades: Jimmy Butler
The Clippers would be sacrificing a possible young star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and an underrated piece in Tobias Harris, to have the opportunity to retain a true star. The current roster would not keep Butler happy by any means, but the selling point would be the possibility of grabbing Kawhi Leonard and other free agents in the summer of 2019.
Philadelphia 76ers
PHI Trades: Robert Covington, Zhaire Smith or (Furkan Korkmaz), ‘21 1st Round Pick (MIA)
MIN Trades: Jimmy Butler
Here the Timberwolves get a 3&D wing, a young prospect full of potential, and a 1st round pick that projects to be high, considering the current state of the Miami Heat. Philly would immediately become a much better team. Contender is a word of the past, considering the Warriors’ roster.
Portland Trail Blazers
POR Trades: Evan Turner, Anfernee Simons, Gary Trent Jr., ‘19 1st Round Pick
MIN Trades: Jimmy Butler
POR Trades: C.J. McCollum
MIN Trades: Jimmy Butler
Don’t mind me. Just creating an alternate universe where Dame and C.J. can win a game or two against the Warriors. In all seriousness, if Minnesota waits until the All-Star break to explore trade options for Butler, deals like this could be present across the league. Minnesota gets two prospects, a pick and… Evan Turner. Matching salaries :)
If Portland wants Jimmy Butler, they’ll need to give up C.J. McCollum. No other offers will be good enough, even if they include all of their young pieces (Collins, Simons, Trent Jr.). Minnesota may have to include a pick as well, given the amount of risk for Portland.
Denver Nuggets
DEN Trades: Gary Harris, Michael Porter Jr., Trey Lyles, ‘20 1st
MIN Trades: Jimmy Butler
This is one of the more realistic and possible trade scenarios. Minnesota gets three young players for Jimmy Butler. Gary Harris would immediately become Minnesota’s second best player and Michael Porter Jr. has high potential, barring injury. The Nuggets would become a fearsome team in the West. A lineup of Murray, Barton, Butler, Millsap and Jokic with Isaiah Thomas off the bench would be wildly entertaining.
Utah Jazz
UTA Trades: Jae Crowder, Dante Exum, Grayson Allen, ‘19 1st Round Pick,
MIN Trades: Jimmy Butler
Washington Wizards
WAS Trades: Otto Porter Jr., Kelly Oubre Jr., 2019 1st Round
MIN Trades: Jimmy Butler
I like this trade for both teams… On paper. When it comes to building a locker room environment, having Butler, Wall, Beal, Dwight and Austin Rivers is not exactly ideal. But basketball wise, Washington could become a serious threat in the Eastern Conference. Outside of Golden State, you could make a real argument that they would have the best lineup 1–3.
Minnesota can stay competitive with Otto Porter Jr.(25) and Kelly Oubre Jr.(22), and allow them to develop, while the front office finds the direction they want to go.
Los Angeles Lakers
LAL Trades: Brandon Ingram, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
MIN Trades: Jimmy Butler
In this scenario, the Lakers bypass the possibility of getting Butler in free agency and trade for him. I doubt the Lakers would be willing to give up Brandon Ingram in most trade scenarios. But if for some reason the Lakers felt they wanted to make a run this season, or needed Butler to attract more free agents next season, I could see them pulling the trigger. The problem is, KCP’s contract is not tradeable until December 15, making a three team deal the only possible scenario for LA. As for Minnesota, they would remain competitive while being allowed to fully focus on the development of Towns, Wiggins and Ingram.
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