I’m in camp “depends on the protections” for JB...I’d give up Ego and 3 unprotected 1sts for Butler without hesitation if that got a deal done assuming there’s been assurances that Butler would re-sign here...or maybe make the 3rd pick top 7 protected I understand why Minny doesn’t want those 4 picks when we’re handing them Knight and Chriss as well
Cyberx (I believe? maybe ch44, maybe Cod, but I think it was cyberx) wrote weeks ago that the Rockets went directly to the owner about a Butler trade. I thought they might try to get Butler to play against Golden State, being a "Big Game", while we the Rox cannot afford to go short-handed these two games with Harden likely still out.
I know this. You know this. Yep, we know. But as my co-worker from Minnesota tells me, "National TV game, Butler's playing." Me, I want Butler to stay "sore".
Whenever Butler is dealt, Minnesota is hell-bent on moving off the salary of Gorgui Dieng, league sources told The Athletic. A few weeks ago Houston called up to six teams, looking for a third partner to facilitate a deal in some fashion, league sources told The Athletic. However, nothing materialized and negotiations went back to square one. ----- They’ve explored a deal in the past, and it’s a deal Houston could get done now if it wanted to, but currently adding someone like J.R. Smith is lower on the totem pole of priorities. Smith’s deal currently pays him $14 million, but is only partially guaranteed for about $4 million in 2019-20. League sources view the Butler saga as a domino effect, meaning once it is resolved, it will set off a number of deals around the league.
Add JR Smith to Melo and MDA and we're officially a portion of the old ass Knicks lol Spoiler not thrilled, let's say...
