Jimmy Butler is going to be a free agent in the summer of 2019, and that means that the Minnesota Timberwolves should at least consider any trade options in the meantime.
Jimmy Butler’s trade value will probably be it’s highest during the offseason, so it would be foolish for the Wolves to not consider all of their options.
We aren’t 100 percent sure if Jimmy Butler is going to commit to playing with the Minnesota Timberwolves beyond 2018-19. Plus, you have to consider what he’d do if Minnesota chose to fire Tom Thibodeau either this or next offseason.
If that’s a real possibility, the Wolves should trade him now for something in return instead of just letting him walk. There’s a lot of “what ifs” that go into this, but the main storyline to stick to is the idea that Butler could walk away for nothing.
There was an interesting article that came out in the Chicago Sun Times about Butler in which he made comments saying that he’s questioned the winning mentality of the players on the Wolves.
"“But sometimes I just look around, and I don’t understand how or why you all don’t love to get better the way that I do.’’"
Throughout the article, Butler stuck to the main point that he doesn’t understand why younger players continue to not want to win as much as he does.
"“Young guys in this league don’t understand urgency,’’ Butler said. “These guys don’t understand that you never know what the league brings, the times may bring. I think they do understand what it takes to win here, and they continue to learn that."
If Butler thinks that he can’t win here or that he’s going to walk in 2019, Minnesota would be wise to trade him now rather than at the trade deadline. Or even worse, waiting too long that you lose him for nothing. These are trade ideas that could get the ball rolling in the right direction for both franchises.
4. Milwaukee Bucks
Why the Timberwolves say yes:
This trade is sort of hard for both sides because Khris Middleton and Butler are both set to become free agents in the summer of 2019, as long as they choose to decline their respective player options. Also, Malcolm Brogdon is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2019.
However, if you think you can win games with them and show that you have a bright future ahead, signing these players makes things a lot easier. Adding Middleton means that the Wolves would be getting a 3-and-D player — two needs that Minnesota needs sorely.
Middleton is better shooting it from mid-range, but is still a good 3-point shooter. This season, he’s averaging 35.9 percent from three on five attempts per game. Last season he shot 43.3 percent on 3.6 attempts. He’s good enough from 3-point range that the defense has to be on its toes whenever he has the ball outside the arc.
Getting Middleton would allow Minnesota to slide Wiggins to the shooting guard position full-time; he seems to play a lot better as a guard than a forward.
Getting Brogdon is a big add because he can run the offense, score and shoot the ball from distance. He’s better suited as a shooting guard, but he can play point guard as well. If Minnesota sees an opportunity for him to become the starting point guard down the line if Teague is injured or is no longer with Minnesota, then they’ll have a nice backup option in Brogdon.
Getting both of these players improves spacing and depth and that’s something that is very important for Minnesota’s success moving forward. Of course, the Wolves would also need to feel more confident in their ability to retain one or both of the players they’d be trading for over the ability to keep Butler.
Why the Bucks say yes:
The Bucks say yes because there hasn’t been a more important time for them to show Giannis Antetokounmpo that they want to win.
The roster they have now is not good enough to best the teams in the Eastern Conference. Adding Butler brings toughness and defense to the Bucks. Milwaukee would have two players in the top-15 in the league and that would be a big motivational point to keep Antetokounmpo in a Bucks jersey.
The second-round pick is very valuable, and not only for money purposes, but because this draft is so deep. There are a lot of players that can come in from the late round and still provide valuable minutes.
3. Portland Trail Blazers
Why the Timberwolves say yes:
The Timberwolves say yes to this because C.J. McCollum is a fantastic 3-point shooter, and while there’s an obvious defensive drop-off between he and Butler, 3-point production is something that the Wolves need badly.
Adding McCollum allows spacing on the floor and he has the ability to play point guard, which makes him more dangerous. He averaged 21.4 points per game and shot 39.7 percent from three on 5.9 attempts. Plus, getting the Blazers pick at No. 24 is valuable.
Players going late in the draft are still valuable in this particular draft because this class is so deep. Minnesota can draft depth, 3-point shooters or a big man with the 20 and 24 pick.
Why the Trail Blazers say yes:
The Blazers need a shakeup. For the longest time there has been rumors or talks as to when the Blazers blow things up and start over, but that’s tough to do with so many large contracts on the books. Between Damian Lillard and McCollum, it would seem more likely that McCollum is most likely to leave.
Adding Butler might be the missing piece. The Blazers have that gritty-grind to them that Butler has as well. It’s not hard to see him fitting in well with the Blazers because of that. Butler improves their defense and would bring a different dimension.
He’s certainly tougher and might compliment Lillard’s winning mentality more so than McCollum. This trade works out for both sides because Minnesota gets depth and 3-point shooting, and the Blazers get toughness and a different change that will hopefully fix things moving forward.
2. San Antonio Spurs
Why the Timberwolves say yes:
Ah, yes… the Kawhi Leonard trade proposals continue again here. Except, instead of Wiggins you add Butler to the trade. The San Antonio Spurs may find having Butler come over in a trade is a better deal for them moving forward.
The Timberwolves say yes to this because, well, it’s Leonard. He’s a better version of Butler on both ends of the floor. That’s no disrespect to Butler, of course, it’s just that when Leonard is healthy, you can argue that he’s one of the best two or three players in the league.
Leonard has a better shot from beyond the arc as well, which helps Minnesota’s case. There’s also a lot of similarities in personalities between he and Wiggins, which may even work a lot better for Wiggins going forward as well.
The one question mark is that we don’t know the severity Leonard’s lingering injury. If they can clear everything up and things look a go, this trade would be perfect for Minnesota. It’s becoming more evident that a Spurs-Leonard breakup may be on the horizon, and that should allow Minnesota to at least make an offer.
Again, he and Butler are set to become free agents in the summer of 2019, which could cause Minnesota to hesitate to give up that much for a player that might leave after one season, but that’s effectively the same situation they’ll be in with Butler anyway.
Why the Spurs say yes:
The Spurs saying yes to this seems like an easy decision. This is barring any idea that the Spurs aren’t offered a better package from let’s say, the Los Angeles Lakers or Boston Celtics. Getting Butler in return allows the Spurs to stay competitive for at least another season.
Let’s be honest, if the Spurs have Greg Popovich as head coach, they seem always like a lock to make the playoffs no matter what. But, having Butler in return gives Popovich another star to work under. If winning is what is most important to Butler, wouldn’t it be fairly easy for him to resign? San Antonio shouldn’t have any issue signing free agents either because Butler can recruit there and being one of the most successful franchises offers more free agent success.
Tyus Jones is a nice return because of his will to work hard and not give up anything on defense, and I think Popovich will like having him on his roster. This draft is deep, so getting the 20th pick in return seems like an added bonus.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Why the Timberwolves say yes:
This trade is actually my favorite of them all, as it addresses a lot of needs moving forward. Why not add more former Chicago Bulls to the Wolves? Kyle Korver is on his last few years of his NBA career, but one thing that has not left his game is his ability to shoot the 3-ball.
This season, he’s shooting 43.6 percent on 5.2 attempts per game. Minnesota could desperately use his deep-range abilities sorely. Jordan Clarkson is a great guy to come off the bench and become a Sixth Man of the Year-type player.
Minnesota needs bench depth and someone who can help out in the scoring column. The Wolves had one of the worst benches this season and adding Clarkson would improve it drastically. He’s 25 years old and is averaging 13.9 points between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lakers. This is all while averaging 22 minutes or so per game. He can shoot the ball from beyond the arc, but it’s definitely not his strong suit.
The best part of this trade is getting Brooklynn’s draft pick. As of now it’s going to be the eighth pick in the 2018 draft. That could change depending how the lottery balls fall on May 15.
Not to sound like a broken record, but this draft is deep. Getting a young, talented player on a cheap contract is the best possible solution for Minnesota moving forward. They could grab someone who can be their future franchise player alongside Wiggins and Towns.
Would they want to draft a point guard and have him be the future once Teague is done with his contract. Or could grab a center and slide Towns at power forward? Clarkson and Korver don’t have the prettiest contracts, but they are easy to move if you were to decide to. Clarkson is making a little over $11 million and Korver is making a little over $7 million.
Why the Cavaliers say yes:
The Cavaliers would essentially be getting rid of two bench players and a draft pick that they wouldn’t be playing as much most likely. I know they value the draft pick because the uncertainty of what LeBron James will do in free agency.
However, I think it would be hard for James to leave Cleveland again. Plus, by the Cavaliers trading for Butler, it shows James that they are all in on him. A starting lineup around the core of James, Butler and Kevin Love puts the Cavaliers as possible favorites to come out of the East.
Next: Let's put this Timberwolves season in perspective
Cleveland is one of the worst defensive teams in the league, and getting Butler would improve their defense drastically. Again, Butler just wants to win, and if you’re with James, you have a good shot at doing so.