Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 31
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jimmy Butler traded to the Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are 4-3 and literally no one knows if they are good or bad, so essentially the Pistons are taking form of their point guard – Reggie Jackson.

When the Pistons traded for Blake Griffin, my first thought was, what is Blake going to do in Detroit? Just kidding, my actual first thought was how the hell can you play Griffin next to Andre Drummond in a league that is dominated by small-ball and three point shots.

And while it’s cute and fun to sell some tickets, the move for Griffin was ultimately a linear one, and was never a permanent move for the future.

Players like Andre Drummond or Hassan Whiteside can only be utilized with a great facilitator and the Pistons don’t have one. Reggie Jackson and Ish smith are score-first guards and they don’t have the pass first mentality, although Smith has definitely showed spurts of an all-around point guard.

The Pistons should take the chance on Jimmy Butler and Blake Griffin in Detroit. If for nothing else, they should do it and try and bring back a microcosm of the ‘Bad Boy Pistons.’

I’ll stop while I’m ahead with that, but I can just imagine Griffin and Butler running guys over (literally) in the first round of the Eastern playoffs.

The Wolves should do this to allow Towns to take some off on defense, he is obviously not capable – at this point in his career – to be a superstar on offense and try and be average on defense, because he’s one of the league worst starting big men on defense.

Playing Drummond next to a true shooting stretch-four (Towns) could turn out to be a fun move, even if Towns plays more in the post and it gets jumbled down there, you always have Drummond to clean up the mess – if need be.

And finally, the most important reason you do this is to allow Towns or Drummond play with the second unit, because Gorgui Dieng and his contract get sent to die in Detroit.

Essentially this move makes a poor mans DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis pair in Minnesota with Towns and Drummond – but I’m for it.