Minnesota Timberwolves: Potential trade ideas for Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat
By Trey Flynn
While the Timberwolves could easily get more in a deal for Jimmy Buter, teams don’t necessarily seem fond of center Gorgui Dieng’s contract. Getting rid of that seems like the key for owner Glen Taylor and company.
Hassan Whiteside has been infamous for attitude issues, but he’s still a quality center when put in the right situation. Whether he comes off the bench as a difference maker, or Karl-Anthony Towns is utilized more at the power forward position, it would be an interesting move that could create versatility down the stretch this season.
Guard Dion Waiters has been known for his late game heroics, but also his inconsistency as a starting shooting guard in this league is well known. Not only that, but he’s recovering from a bad ankle injury.
The 2019 unprotected first round pick will most likely be around pick #18-25 in the draft next summer, but you can’t rely on that too quickly.
The question becomes, can Minnesota be a more well rounded team in this trade?
Well, it definitely allows Tom Thibodeau – or whomever coaches the team this year – to be more flexible in creating rosters each game this year.
The Timberwolves were known for not changing up their starting lineup so he may need to toy with this one more than usual, especially after adding Anthony Tolliver, Josh Okogie, and Keita-Bates Diop.
Overall, this trade gets a grade of a B-, nothing more. I don’t like it, but I don’t hate it either. Unless were getting names over the phone like Tobias Harris or Khris Middleton, I’m not seeing better moves in the media’s attention.
Our next slide shows a more helpful trade to the Timberwolves that works well on both sides.