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Minnesota Timberwolves: 2 Jimmy Butler trades to Philadelphia 76ers

By Trey Flynn

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 3: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in front of Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on January 3, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Timberwolves 93-91. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 3: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in front of Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on January 3, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Timberwolves 93-91. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 17: Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 17, 2016 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 17: Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 17, 2016 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

This trade is a straight up rental-contract deal.

Dario Saric has two years remaining on his rookie deal, but Jerryd Bayless, Wilson Chandler, and obviously Jimmy Butler, all have one year left on their contracts.

So this could potentially be a good move for the future of both teams, giving them room to re-sign or release all players involved.

As we’ve already noted the difficult Butler contract situation on our opening slide, Saric is a tough sell as well. Saric was one of the best up and coming stretch-four’s in the league last year, but yet this season, he’s drastically dropped off.

Saric is down in every statistical category this year compared to last season, with a lot of it being from the lack of space that Fultz and Simmons present to the offense when they are on the court with Saric, making it easier for defenders to read and guard the big man outside of the post.

Moreover, Dario is taking tougher shots this year and Embiid hasn’t been a great touch-and-go passer from beneath the basket to the perimeter like he was last season.

While Saric will most likely want a lot of money in the future, this may be the best time for Minnesota to take a leap of faith and swoop-in, grabbing the 6’10” Croatian big man.

30 Jimmy Butler trades to every NBA team. dark. Next

If Saric can get back to his last season form, you could potentially see the best shooting front court in all of the NBA with Karl-Anthony Towns and Dario Saric – both averaging around 40 percent from downtown last season.

Wilson Chandler is also a suitable starter for the Timberwolves, who would most likely be plugged next to Andrew Wiggins. Even though Chandler is coming back from a 10-game injury this week, this may be the best time to quietly snag the efficient wing shooter.

Much like Muscala in our past deal, Jared Bayless is a filler contract and wouldn’t get many minutes with Tyus Jones, Derrick Rose, and Jeff Teague clogging up the point guard rotation.

The 2019 second round pick tops off this deal that would impressively balance the wolves’ roster out.

In conclusion, I like either of the deals.

I think Covington is often times overrated by many analysts, so I’d like to go with the cheaper side of the two deals, and grab a Covington-like player in Chandler and get Dario Saric with the potential of him getting back to himself from last season.

Stay tuned with Dunking With Wolves as we bring you all the drama in Minnesota, which never seems to end.

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