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Minnesota Timberwolves: Jimmy Butler trade ideas to the Warriors, Rockets, Trailblazers, Thunder, and Jazz

By Trey Flynn

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 27: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder hug each other before the game on October 27, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 27: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder hug each other before the game on October 27, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 23: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket against Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Rockets defeated the Timberwolves 119-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 23: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket against Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Rockets defeated the Timberwolves 119-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Houston Rockets trade for Jimmy Butler:

The depletes the Houston Rockets bench that will essentially star newly acquired Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss with some Gerald Green on the side, but I think they would be fine with that.

The Timberwolves get 3-point stud Eric Gordon to help Minnesota’s woes from downtown and also add PJ Tucker to bring some defensive grit and hustle off the bench.

The 2019 unprotected first round pick is a really good top for this move, I actually believe the Wolves would be fine after a trade like this. Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker don’t push them over the top, but they simply balance the roster better with versatile play and experience.

The Houston Rockets get more unbalanced but have current MVP James Harden and a top-five point guard in Chris Paul, adding Jimmy Butler to the wing position throwing more lobs to Clint Capela sounds like music to any NBA fans ears.

A large part of me wants to think that Butler wouldn’t work there because he likes the ball in his hands too much, but we saw all of those arguments already with Paul and Harden, and look what happened there.

Overall, good move for both sides, especially if Houston can convince Butler to stay.

Portland Trailblazers trade for Jimmy Butler:

If you’re a Timberwolves fan freaking out about not seeing CJ McCollum being traded in this scenario, chill out. There is no way that the Portland Trailblazers would trade CJ’s contract with three years left on it for a rental and the hope that Butler stays.

Something eye opening in this move right away is sending Gorgui Dieng’s useless contract elsewhere, which is notably something the front office is looking for when trading Butler at the moment.

The Timberwolves get a versatile forward in Evan Turner that finds himself invisible at times on the court, but can do everything pretty well on both sides of the ball. Turner at the wing also allows Wiggins to play at his natural position of shooting guard, which is a win-win.

Forward Al-Farouq Aminu is a good vet to come off the bench, or even start in Taj Gibsons place at times, maybe even starting over Turner at the wing. Aminu is a solid spot up 3-point shooter and guards well from the perimeter so he’s a nice addition.

Zach Collins is the interesting one here.

At only 20-years old, Collins is already a fan favorite in Portland for his saving grace 3-pointers last season. A center that shoots 3’s pairing up with the best 3-point shooting center in Karl-Anthony Towns sounds pretty awesome to me.

The Blazers obviously get Jimmy Butler and pair him next to CJ and Damian Lillard, which sounds amazing on a video game but I’m not sure how they would fare on the court. It sounds like a watered down version of the Rockets trade that you just saw, which definitely can solidify the Blazers as a third seed in the West.

So, it’s good enough.

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