The Minnesota Timberwolves have found themselves stuck between a rock and hard place. Jimmy Butler, the man that brought playoff basketball back to Minnesota, has requested a trade after just a season with the team.
The Timberwolves’ demands for Butler have been rebuffed by teams to this point as “too steep,” according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. But, with the preseason about to start and the regular season firmly on the horizon, the Timberwolves are running out of time to capitalize on Butler’s value.
While Minnesota goes hunting for deals, many teams likely welcome the thought of adding the talented wing to their respective rosters. But which teams could prove the best landing for Butler?
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets came within a game of knocking off the Golden State Warriors en route to an NBA Finals appearance.
Now, they are reportedly pushing hard for Butler, and for good reason.
Between Butler, James Harden and Chris Paul, Houston would boast one of the best trifectas in the NBA. Butler should, at the very least, offset the offensive value lost in any trade while he is also a major upgrade over the since-departed Trevor Ariza on the wing. Butler’s defensive chops could also play a major role for Houston come playoff time.
Throw Clint Capela and head coach Mike D’Antoni into the mix and the Rockets could once again find themselves in the best position to unseat the defending champion Golden State Warriors.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are in a weird spot.
The Clippers sit in that dreaded grey-area between contention and non-contention; they don’t have the talent to be a real threat in the Western Conference, but they are talented enough that it would seem out of place for them to tank this season. In a market as big as Los Angeles, getting stuck in neutral like this can kill fan interest.
Butler could change all of that.
While Butler lifts Los Angeles out of that grey area, the team also affords Butler the opportunity to compete right away without playing second to another superstar or superstars a la the Rockets. He would presumably form a nice offensive pairing with reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams and would elevate the remained of the Clippers’ role players.
The Clippers also have cap space coming up on the horizon, providing Jerry West, one of the best front-office presences in the NBA, and Co., the opportunity to not only pay Butler, but build the team around him for the foreseeable future as well.
Miami HEAT
The Miami HEAT aren’t exactly the best fit as a premier contender, but Butler reportedly prefers them to other potential landing spots.
While they may not be in a position to topple Steph Curry and Co., Miami has other amenities they can offer Butler. Erik Spoelstra is one of the NBA’s best at what he does and could be a welcome departure from the player-grinding philosophies of Tom Thibodeau. Butler as the go-to guy would also make the HEAT a true threat in the Eastern Conference rather than the pseudo-contenders they are now.
Miami also boasts Pat Riley and the famed “HEAT culture,” which may allure Butler more than anything else about the team. Riley has a history of good rapport with star players, and Butler would likely prove no different.
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors already made waves this offseason when they traded DeMar DeRozan, among other pieces, to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard. Now, they have the opportunity to capitalize on another disgruntled superstar.
The Raptors snagged Leonard for pennies on the dollar back in July and Butler, similarly on the last year of his deal, could be had at an even further reduced value, given the nature and timing of his trade request. The Raptors, arguably, possess the NBA’s best bench, meaning they have plenty of quality players to offer without jeopardizing much of their starting lineup.
The Butler-Leonard duo would become one of the most ferocious duos in the NBA, capable of locking up even the best backcourts. The offense the two could provide in tandem with Kyle Lowry (assuming he isn’t moved for Butler) could be one of the best in the league as well.
While their bench may take a hit, the rewards Butler represents more than outweigh the risks.
San Antonio Spurs
If they acquired Butler, the San Antonio Spurs would really be turning their offense back to the 2000s.
The trio of DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge and Butler would combine for more mid-range jumpers than some teams, but, all jokes aside, the talent in San Antonio certainly warrants intrigue.
The Spurs return a squad that, without Kawhi Leonard, managed to lock down 47 wins and a playoff spot last season. With DeRozan now in the fold, they looked primed to return to the upper echelon of Western Conference teams, if not remain a near 50-wins and playoff caliber. Butler would, obviously, increase their upside.
Gregg Popovich is always going to be a draw for players as well. One of the most respected figures in the game over the last two-decades, Popovich is not only a great coach, but could provide Butler with some nights off, something that the 28-year-old has sorely lacked in his seven previous seasons.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets may seem like a strange inclusion to Butler’s preferred destinations, but there is, in fact, a method to the madness.
Brooklyn has an okay roster, but Butler transforms them into a contender, at least within the scope of the Eastern Conference. In his bid to drag them back to contention, Butler will have free reign of the basketball and would certainly be endeared to Brooklyn fans as well. Brooklyn, like the Clippers, can provide Butler with two max-contract slots for next summer, affording Butler the opportunity to build his own super team.
Butler would also find himself in the New York City market without having to deal with the headache that is James Dolan.
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