no way they give up on Wiggins, they dug themselves a hole with that contract, however he's like 23, they probably hope he can turn it around and make the contract worth it.
I wouldn't take Dieng back in a deal for Butler. Posted the following in another thread: I think Minny will prefer established vets to prospects and/or picks. No doubt whoever loses the Kawhi sweepstakes will turn to Butler, but we have a competitive offer IF we include Tucker and perhaps take back some salary. For example: HOU In: Butler, Gibson MIN In: Gordon, Tucker, Nene, Onuaku, Jackson, Cash for Onuaku and Jackson This lowers Minnesota's payroll by $7 million this year, but more importantly, it provides cost controlled vets that solve Minnesota's needs perfectly. Tucker provides the spacing that Gibson can't at the 4 with no drop off in defense, and Gordon provides better spacing than Butler does. Nene can mentor KAT. Basically this trade helps to build around KAT. Houston gets not just Butler, but Gibson can be a backup 5 and an interesting trade piece as a $15 million expiring at the deadline. $15 million worth of salary and a 1st or 2nd could get you a key piece like Avery Bradley or Marvin Williams.
I can't see either team doing this deal in an ideal world. I mean the Rockets probably would do it, but wouldn't love it. Not sure that the Rockets are much better after this and you've completely undone the team that went to the WCF the year before.
Word is that Butler has been talking with Kyrie and wants to go play with him in Boston. http://www.startribune.com/report-jimmy-butler-fed-up-with-karl-anthony-towns/487248281/
I can understand why Butler wants to go to Boston. But I don't see why Boston does this. They have money tied up in Heyward. And Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatem are rising stars on cost controlled contracts. Does Jimmy move the needle for them? Unlikely.
Agreed. I would love Butler as a Rocket but going from Ariza/Tucker/Luc to just Luc(if he re-signs) as elite wing defenders will hurt. Plus Green becomes your primary scoring option off the bench. Not ideal
I think we have assets, just not enough. We have a salary match asset in Anderson (assuming someone can stomach that last year, or will buy him out or stretch him). Gordon is an asset in that he is on a talented, mid-career guy on a good deal. Nene has a reasonable, short term deal. Sign Mbha a Moute to the MLE, and that is another asset. Then we also have the two 2nds from this year, Lull overseas, etc., who all give you cheap contracts with a chance at developing. I would prefer not to lose Tucker. Ultimately, though, if you can sign Luc and another wing with your MLE, that gives you a nice group of assets for a deal. Of course, that may not be a package Minnesota wants, but that is irrelevant when you trade a star, especially one who wants out. You can't afford losing them for nothing, so you need to get something in return.
Anderson and Gordon plus picks works in the trade machine for butler and Gorgi. I’d do it. Try and sign luc back to the minimum of possible and make a run at IT for the full MLE selling him on reviving his market in this offense under MDA. It’s saves the wolves 2m this season and get off the 3 year deal Gorgi still has as Ryan and Gordon only have 2 years remaining. From a fit perspective i think Ryan can actually help them space the floor for towns and wigs and then Gordon is just a good player he would immediately be a 18ppg scorer and play decent to good defense. Plus they can get 1 maybe 2 late first round picks off the deal. That’s my dream scenario I think it’s unlikely but not just straight out of this world ridiculous.
Agreed, PJ is perfect here, we need him especially now that Ariza is gone, we also need to have some solid players signed for more years on cheap contracts.
PJ Tucker is the backbone of the Rocket defense in terms of communication. He is the reason the defense was top 3 after the all star break. Very key.
You would also be adding Butler as an elite wing defender. We've already lost Ariza to free agency, so this trade's impact on the team already factors that lost in. So really you replace Thicc with Butler and we still have two elite wing defenders, the same as before the trade. I am in agreement with those that believe Tucker is extremely valuable to this squad. Losing Tucker would hurt. Your point about having Green as your primary bench scoring is just the Rockets optimizing their starting line up. We have a piece that can more easily play with both CP3 and Harden without sacrificing size. We can still stagger Harden and CP3, so we will still have plenty of scoring. Butler is an upgrade over EG in every way. Is he so much better that is offsets the lost of Thicc... I don't know. Gibson is a throwback player that doesn't fit the modern NBA or our team's philosophy. At the end of the day, I think if you can add a Butler level player, you do it. He can get you buckets like EG while also checking the Durants and Lebrons. Also, when the defense keys in on CP3 and Harden and that extra pass goes out top to our wing, you have Butler pulling the trigger instead of Ariza.
In this scenario, signing Tyreke or Swaggy P with MLE to fill EGo role off bench is the way to go. CP3/MCW Harden/Tyreke or Swaggy Butler/Green PJ/Luc (or another vet min/rook like Gary Clark) Capela/Dieng
