[...] So Butler almost certainly will be dealt in the next few days, leaving teams to assess what is Butler worth — and what kind of player is he? One NBA executive described the latter question as “tricky.” If a team acquires Butler, particularly one with whom he’ll likely re-sign next summer, it probably will have to fork over nearly $200 million to a player who has played heavy minutes while dealing with injuries. That team likely will have to make Butler one of the NBA’s highest-paid players despite below-average three-point shooting — essentially a must for a modern shooting guard or small forward. And, it almost certainly will have to pay him into his mid-30s — without being sure he deserves that kind of deal. Despite those reasons to back off, this is true: Butler is a great player, a unique talent who can affect games on both ends. He’s big and strong enough to body up the league’s top wings, and he’s taken and made big shots in playoff games. According to league sources, though, teams are hesitant to offer assets and that max contract to acquire and keep Butler. The Clippers seem like a logical landing spot — the team is aware it’s on Butler’s list of preferred destinations and it has the max space next summer to sign him and another star like Kawhi Leonard. It seems obvious that the Clippers should jump at the chance for a star as they rebuild. But rosters around the NBA are filled with players on contracts similar to the one Butler surely will sign next summer and the Clippers, luckily enough, were able to shed one last season. Because Detroit was desperate for a star, the Clippers were able to move Blake Griffin, getting out from under a contract that’ll pay him between $31.8 million and $38.9 million in each of the next four seasons, despite the fact Griffin has played no more than 67 games in each of the last four seasons. Griffin is a star — a five-time All-Star power forward — but there were reasons to be concerned about that much money over that many years for someone with his injury history and limited ability to stretch defenses. The same can be said about Butler, a four-time All-Star who has missed at least 15 games in four of the last five seasons. Do the Clippers want to go down that road again, perhaps, with Leonard and Butler? Maybe, depending on the cost. Ideally, the Clippers would acquire Butler in a deal that sends Danilo Gallinari to Minnesota along with a draft pick or young talent — not including this year’s top pick, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. A deal also could be centered around Tobias Harris, who will be a free agent after the season. It’s a gamble for a team like the Clippers, who are trying to put together a future. Butler would be a safer bet for a ready-made contender — Houston and Philadelphia come to mind. With the Timberwolves signaling that they’re ready to move on, someone will move forward with Butler — he’s too good not to consider. For the star players of his ilk, teams probably aren’t sure if the returns are worth the cost.
Isn’t Phoenix known to have the best medical staff in the league? I remember that use to be the case in the Steve Nash and Grant Hill years. That’s not a good sign for Brandon Knight
It's not on the line. He's done. He's been done for a while and Jimmy's the only reason he's still there. He won't make it through the season. People have been calling for Thibs to be fired since last December.
I'm down for this to be a 1 year rental because a team of Harden, CP3 (while he's still very good), Butler, Tucker, Melo and Capela is basically the best shot we have against GSW this year.
We have also to consider that Gordon might not be interested in staying here after is contract expires, ias today he's a pretty good asset, if you can move him for Butler you don't have a choice unfortuanately.
My issue with a one year rental is we won't have any caproom to sign someone like Gordon if Butler leaves.
I remember seeing reports on here that Gordon was actually open to a trade if it meant he could get a larger role somewhere. With how happy Gordon seemed at media day yesterday I took that as either he had a major change of heart or he had a major change of perspective (he knew he was about to be traded).
While that's true...I guess my perspective on this is, if a team consisting of Capela, Tucker, Butler, Melo, Harden, and CP3 can't break through and get the championship, what good would it be to bring back an Eric Gordon that's 2 years older in 2020? So we can stay in the Top 4 in the West until CP3's contract ends?
Yep, Nook reported this. Personally i'm fine if we end up with this exact roster, i love Gordon, but in the end if the Rockets were not able to extend him, that makes me think he either wants to get paid big time or he wants to start, possibly both things so...yeah, if we can trade him for Butler we can't miss the opportunity.
He's reached "lame duck" status. I wonder if he can refuse to negotiate a trade involving Butler knowing this.
Must suck to be a T-Wolves fan. Just a few months ago, you're coming off your best regular season in 12-13 years, finally heading into the playoffs again, and have a talented nucleus to build around. So much optimism. And then... Your All-Star center gets his ass handed to him in the playoffs. Your former #1 didn't shown much of anything in the playoffs. Your veteran leader wants the hell out. You know deep down that whatever you get in trade for that vet is going to be a disappointment. Your coach is already on the hot seat after leading the team to their best year in over a decade. Right before training camp, the **** is slamming the fan hard.
I would for sure trade Gordon for Jimmy as rental, this is a no brainer!! Why, our window is short, like really short..I love CP3 but he has honestly lost a step..Boston is so young and talented and well coached,,Tatum and Brown are only going to get better...I honestly believe Lebron has much better roster now than the Cavaliers...GS is still young..
I think this is right, if you pull this coup for Butler and still can't win the championship, you may as well stop trying. The only caveat is that there is some variability. You'd like to have 2 bites at the apple, but we'd only get one before having the decide on Butler's future.
Bobby Marks throwaway quote in this E+ article on Team Breakdowns http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/24781728/nba-preview-2018-19-preseason-preview-every-team As one team executive told ESPN, "The Timberwolves will be lucky to get 50 cents on the dollar in return for Butler."
