By Adrian Wojnarowski Caron Butler, one of the most pursued small forwards in this year’s free-agent class, privately considers the Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls as his two most preferred destinations, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Butler is most attracted to the Bulls because of the chance to play with Derrick Rose and compete for a title, but he would have to take significantly less money to play in Chicago. The Bulls have a stronger need for a shooting guard, and could ultimately spend their money there. Ultimately, that leaves Clippers with an edge over the New Jersey Nets among the suitors with the most significant cap space and a need for a starting small forward. “He sees the Clippers with a more stable foundation of players,” one source familiar with Butler’s thinking said. “He isn’t sure about Deron Williams’ future in New Jersey, and having a chance to win will be a big part of this.” Nene will meet with teams in Brazil when the free-agent market officially opens on Dec. 9. Butler played only 29 games in the Dallas Mavericks’ title run a season ago, missing the remainder with a right knee injury. At 31 years old, he’s checked out healthy again, and remains a primary target for several teams looking for a small forward. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...YF?slug=aw-wojnarowski_nba_free_agency_113011
The feeling seems mutual.... -------------------------------------------------------------- Clippers reach out to free agent Caron Butler November 30, 2011 The Clippers, in the market for a small forward, have reached out to free agent Caron Butler, a person with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday night. Butler played in only 29 games last season during the Dallas Mavericks' championship run because of a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee that required surgery. Those close to Butler said the 32-year-old, 6-foot-7 small forward is healthy. He averaged 15 points on 45% shooting, including 43.1% from three-point range, last season. Butler has averaged 16.6 points on 44.1% shooting (31.9% from three-point range) over his nine-year career. Butler made $10.5 million last season in the final year of his deal. Neil Olshey, the Clippers' vice president of basketball operations, would not comment on free agents Wednesday. But Olshey did say small forward is a position at which the Clippers need to improve. "I think when you look at things within a vacuum, I think that that's the position that we have the biggest question mark at," Olshey said. The Clippers also contacted free-agent small forward Tayshaun Prince of the Detroit Pistons. -- Broderick Turner http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/spor...on-butler.html
I hope he signs with the Clips. I don't know what would happen to Aminu, but Caron would be an immediate upgrade, if healthy. Damn, so even if Morey strikes out with Nene, he gets a free trip to Brasil? Strap up, Mr. Morey. Strap up.
Kind of like it for the Bulls; they're one of the only contenders that would be perfectly happy to have a ball-stopping wing since Derrick Rose does way too much scoring for them anyway, and I'm confident Thibs can find a way to hide his awful defense. Little hesitant to have both Butler and Deng out there on the wings; they both seem like 18-20 foot guys, not natural 3-point spot-up shooters, and the defense might be allowed to sag a little too much to cut off driving lanes.
Caron Butler to visit Clippers on Monday December 4, 2011 Free-agent forward Caron Butler will visit the Clippers’ training facility Monday to discuss his possible future with the team, his agent Raymond Brothers said Sunday night. Butler averaged 15 points last season with the Dallas Mavericks. But he played in only 29 games after having surgery in January to repair a ruptured right patella tendon. The NBA informed team executives over the weekend that they would be allowed to have direct contact with free agents starting at 7 a.m. Pacific time Monday. The free-agency period begins Friday, which is the first day teams can sign players or make trades, provided the new collective bargaining agreement is ratified. The Clippers are in need of a veteran small forward, and the feeling in the organization is that Butler, a nine-year veteran, can fill that void. Butler also has drawn interest from the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. Tayshaun Prince, a free-agent small forward who played for the Detroit Pistons last season, also remains interested in the Clippers, his agent Billy Duffy said. -- Broderick Turner http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/12/caron-butler-to-visit-clippers-monday.html
I think the Bulls would be a more deserving fit(not necessarily better though). Plus he'd be closer to Wisconsin and his fam. And most importantly he'd be an upgrade over Brewer & Bogans at the 2. I figure Luol would remain at the 3 and they'd just play Caron as the 2 guard.
