Minnesota Timberwolves: 2 massive Jimmy Butler trade ideas to Clippers

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 23: Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers and Danilo Gallinari #8 react during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 23: Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers and Danilo Gallinari #8 react during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on October 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 6: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the LA Clippers goes to the basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 6, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 6: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the LA Clippers goes to the basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 6, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Minnesota Timberwolves would be trading All-Star Jimmy Butler to the Los Angeles Clippers for Danilo Gallinari, who is one of the more underappreciated players around the league.

In under 30 MPG, Gallinari is averaging 19.8 PPG and his shooting splits are at an insane rate of 45.1/47.6/98.0.

And while Gallinari has never played a full season in his career due to several knee injuries, he still is one of the more efficient scorers in the world when he does get on the court. With Gallinari looking like his prime-self in LA, the Clippers should sell high on their 30-year-old Italian stallion.

If the Timberwolves do indeed get Gallo for Butler’s talents in this trade, I could see head coach Tom Thibodeau watering at the mouth for the potential lineups he could create with this move. In an ideal world, Gallo could be brought off the bench with the Tyus Jones and Derrick Rose-led lineup and be a force in the second-unit.

Luckily, Gallo can be used as a wing or at the stretch-four position, creating versatility in the Wolves’ offense and opening up the floor with his deadly shot from downtown, even with his lack of quick feet on defense (which won’t necessarily help Karl-Anthony Towns).

The Clippers getting Jimmy Butler in their starting lineup would start the rebuild they’ve been hoping for and make the Clips one of the hottest teams to sign with this upcoming summer.

And with their being a lot of whispers toward Kevin Durant possibly going where the money is this offseason, you could see why the Clips make a deal for Butler sooner rather than later next summer to try and bring in another All-Star and not risk that Butler signs elsewhere in the summer.

So essentially the Clips would be fighting for bragging rights on Butler by trading away Gallo.

To top this trade off for the Wolves are two draft picks.

A 2019 second round pick that should be fairly high, and a 2021 unprotected first from the Clippers which could turn out to be a very solid pickup if the Clips hunt for All-Star’s this offseason falls apart.

In our second trade, we have a hopeful Tobias Harris dance off in Minnesota.