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The effect of the Butler trade on Timberwolves’ free agency plans

By Ben Beecken

Nov 5, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts to a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts to a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the Timberwolves prepare for free agency, how might their plans of changed in light of last week’s Jimmy Butler trade?

A week ago, the Timberwolves were on the verge of being capped out, and with only one true star on the roster.

Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine were both about to become eligible for extensions and Karl-Anthony Towns will follow in 2018. Even after waiving Nikola Pekovic and planning to waive Jordan Hill, the team simply would have only had the ability to add a couple of bench pieces in free agency and hold their nose while likely maxing out both LaVine and Wiggins.

But on draft night, the Timberwolves moved LaVine and last year’s fifth-overall draft pick Kris Dunn to Chicago in exchange for Jimmy Butler. Combined, LaVine and Dunn were only due a little over $7 million this season while Butler will make $19.3 million (the Wolves also save over a million dollars by sliding from the #7 pick to the #16).

The key here is while the Wolves won’t have quite as much cap room to play with, they also traded away a non-star who was about to be maxed out. This means that they maintain flexibility while doubling the star power on the roster.

And, it allows them to do more than simply dip their toe in the waters of free agency.

Brian and I spent much of Monday’s podcast debating what the Wolves should do this summer in regards to free agency, and we didn’t agree. In short, here’s what I believe the acquisition of Jimmy Butler opens up for Minnesota:

  • The Timberwolves no longer have to star-chase in free agency in order to become a playoff contender. They simply traded a bad player (Dunn) and an up-and-coming, injured rotation player (LaVine) for a star in Butler. This removes any desire that Tom Thibodeau may have had to overpay to land a true star and become a contender in short order.
  • The starting lineup is set, and it’s really good. LaVine was likely to start the year on the shelf and ease back into action off the bench. Now, a starting lineup of Ricky Rubio, Wiggins, Butler, Gorgui Dieng, and Karl-Anthony Towns stacks up against some of the better teams in the entire NBA.
  • It does further expose the bench, however. The only players under contract that project as bench players are Tyus Jones, Nemanja Bjelica, and Cole Aldrich. That’s it. Not only is it not enough players from a quantity perspective, the quality is sorely lacking as well.
  • But what it does  do is allows Thibodeau and the front office to focus on adding specific skills. No longer star-chasing, the focus can turn to shooting and perimeter defense. Perhaps a starting power forward could be added that would be a better fit at the ‘four’ alongside Towns and allow Dieng to be the backup third big, playing both power forward and center.

So, let’s talk names. Perimeter defense? Perhaps P.J. Tucker would be an affordable fit. Shooting? Tucker would improve the team marginally there, and C.J. Miles would be a great addition as well. If Thibodeau feels the need to spend a bit more on shooting, J.J. Redick and Kyle Korver are on the market.

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At power forward, Paul Millsap and Serge Ibaka are likely out of the Wolves’ price range — unless they were to trade Rubio and/or Aldrich to free additional cap space. Patrick Patterson and former Thibodeau player Nikola Mirotic could be fits.

There are a lot of names on the market that would buoy they Wolves weak bench. In a perfect world, a true power forward would be added to allow Dieng to play what would probably still amount to fairly heavy minutes off the bench. Aldrich and Bjelica would play based on match-ups.

Miles and Tucker would be great fits on the wing, and Thibodeau would likely sign a veteran point guard at something near the minimum to compete with Jones as Rubio’s backup.

PG: Rubio/Jones/FA

SG: Wiggins/Miles

SF: Butler/Tucker

PF: Patterson/Bjelica

C: Towns/Dieng/Aldrich

That’s your 12 players that would be active on a regular basis. Don’t forget #16 overall draft pick Justin Patten, either, who will likely occupy one of the two new two-way roster spots, meaning that he won’t be able to spend more than 45 days on the Timberwolves’ roster without taking up a true roster spot. He’ll spend the majority of the season with the G-League affiliate in Des Moines.

The other thing to remember about the new roster rules is that teams are required to have 14 players on their roster at all times. So expect a couple more D-League names or grizzled veterans to be added to fill out the bench.

Next: The (New) Timberwolves Championship Timeline

At any rate, free agency kicks off at midnight on Saturday morning, so it’s time to get excited, Wolves fans. We’ll have coverage throughout the week, including any additional trade rumors that might pop up.