The Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard trade that needs to happen

While the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics want in on this trade, via a three team swap, I don’t believe that will happen. You rarely see three team trades, nor do you see them happen for superstars.

This trade contractually goes through perfectly, mostly due to the fact Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler’s similarities go down to their dollar signs.

The San Antonio Spurs will be getting a workhorse out of Jimmy Butler. If they want a Kawhi Leonard with a bit more enthusiasm, I can’t think of a better player to fit that mold and help groom a young Spurs team with Gregg Popovich at the helm.

With Tony Parker moving on to the Charlotte Hornets and the Spurs wanting to get Dejounte Murray starting minutes, the addition of Tyus Jones as a back up point guard is a great fit for Pop’s lineups.

Also, a defensive back court of Dejounte Murray and Jimmy Butler is terrifying for any opposition.

And to put a cherry on top – which could be overkill – the Spurs would get a 2020 unprotected first round pick from the Timberwolves, which are a dime a dozen in this era of basketball.

The Minnesota Timberwolves get a stud in Kawhi Leonard, and as I’ve stated before, Leonard doesn’t look too different from Jimmy Butler on their resumes. Although, you get a guy that can perfectly fit in Head Coach Tom Thibodeau’s defense scheme as the best 3-and-D wing in the league.

More importantly, you get a guy that doesn’t pressure Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns to be something they’re not.

That is probably the most underrated factor of what makes Kawhi great and what other people may look at as negative, his demeanor doesn’t force you to play a certain style, he’s just a silent killer.

Next: Thibodeau talks offseason moves with media

While most people thought Andrew Wiggins was the benefactor from the addition of Jimmy Butler, Wiggins actually lost minutes at the shooting guard position, which actually looked more natural than running at the small forward, click here to read more about that.

The Wolves would also be getting a second round draft pick from the Spurs in 2020, hoping to mirror their 2018 option in Keita Bates-Diop.

Moreover, losing the grit of the 2017-18 Wolves team in Jimmy Butler and the glue of Tyus Jones would be tough, but something has got to give when both players have been reported to be unhappy.

Can the Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler swap happen? Let’s hope so, for both parties.