This move is the most realistic trade that Washington can make for Jimmy Butler, as it clears up potential cap space sending Otto Porter to Minnesota – the clearing up of cap space is only possible if Butler left D.C. next Summer.
As for the fit, Washington is paying Otto Porter more money ($26 million) than any player on the Wizards this season. The contrast between his deal and Beal is minimal, but the problem is that Wizards’ head coach Scott Brooks refuses to give Porter starter minutes.
After Porter had his best season last year from everywhere on the court, shooting 50 percent from the field and 43 percent from downtown, Brooks seems to want to go more in the Kelly Oubre Jr. route because he likes his confidence on offense more than Porters.
Ultimately, the Wizards aren’t utilizing Porter’s talents and will move on by making this trade for Butler and Taj Gibson (who’ll fill that power forward position) and the wizards should be better suited internally.
The Timberwolves’ have more lineup freedom in acquiring Otto Porter and Markieff Morris, who can both play the stretch four or the wing. Most likely they’ll play the Jeff Teague, Andrew Wiggins, Otto Porter, Markieff Morris, and Karl-Anthony Towns lineup the most.
Not only does this spread the floor more for Teague to facilitate spot up three’s all day long, but it also give the Wolves’ more length on defense and can potentially help with full court defense when Towns is falling behind.
This is my favorite deal, but an unprotected first may be too much on Washington’s end. However, you can assume that Tom Thibodeau has all the leverage when the Wizards are paying – essentially – a bench player $26 million.
This move get’s an A- from me and I would do sign the deal in a millisecond.