Dunking With Wolves
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Minnesota Timberwolves: Jimmy Butler trades to all 30 NBA teams

By Trey Flynn

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 30: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves tries to stop a pass from Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors in an NBA game at the Air Canada Centre on January 30, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Raptors defeated the Timberwolves 109-104. NOTE TO USER: user expressly acknowledges and agrees by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Licence Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/ Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 30: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves tries to stop a pass from Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors in an NBA game at the Air Canada Centre on January 30, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Raptors defeated the Timberwolves 109-104. NOTE TO USER: user expressly acknowledges and agrees by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Licence Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/ Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 27: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on January 27, 2018 at 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 27: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on January 27, 2018 at 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jimmy Butler traded to the Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets are on the up and up. Finally, am I right?

Their horrible decision of sending several picks to Boston for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce seems to not be affecting their future as much as it has in the past few years.

But with every small step forward for a team trying to rebuild, their will always be a chance for a big leap. You could grab a player like Paul George, Blake Griffin, Victor Oladipo, and now even Jimmy Butler – should Brooklyn take the chance?

I think so.

Butler has noted that Los Angeles, New York, and Miami are his preferred trade destinations, so why not Brooklyn?

The Nets have a lot of intriguing assets, but none more than the talents of Caris LeVert. Much like Josh Richardson, LeVert has the potential to smoothly fill Butler’s void on Minnesota – talent wise without the attitude.

At 24-years-old LeVert is averaging 31 MPG shooting 20 PPG, with shooting splits of 48.9/33.3/80.0. And he’s not even at a high usage rate like D’Angelo Russell has been given for the Nets.

A player like LeVert would allow the Wolves to switch between Wiggins and Caris to try and play more smoothly on both ends of the court. What makes Richardson a better player is his ability to play the point at full court, and while LeVert is averaging over 4 assists a game, those stats aren’t all that makes a solid facilitator, you have to run the offense.

We’ve seen that from Richardson, because Miami has allowed him to do that; Thibodeau and the Wolves could really make LeVert into a potential All-Star like Miami is with Richardson.

Moreover, adding Allen Crabbe as a cap filler and also as a replacement for former sixth man Jamal Crawford last season would be a very low-key move.

The Nets would have a field day with Jimmy Butler on their team. If Brooklyn is content with Russell chucking up shots because he has “ice in his veins,” then wait till you see how frozen cold Butler is.