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Minnesota Timberwolves: 2 Jimmy Butler trades to the Los Angeles Lakers

By Trey Flynn

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 7: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers defend their positions on November 7, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 7: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers defend their positions on November 7, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 7: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes for a loose ball with Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 7, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 7: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes for a loose ball with Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 7, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

This trade could happen as soon as Dec. 15 (five weeks), due to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s (KCP) contract being restricted until that date.

KCP has been an infamous disappointment to the Lakers this season, and pretty much no one is surprised besides the fans. He’s simply included in this deal as a cap filler for Butler’s $20 million. However, I can’t discredit a player that has the potential for a comeback season, he’s just not worth anything close to his contract of $12 million.

The real reason the Wolves pull the trigger on this deal is Brandon Ingram.

Ingram is a 6’9″ slender wing that can switch to the guard position with his lanky frame and completely disrupt a defense with his offensive prowess.

At 30 MPG, Ingram is averaging 16.1 PPG and shooting 48 percent from the field and 40 percent from downtown. And while that seems Andrew Wiggins-ish, this is a 21-year-old that has the potential to be an All-Star in this league, not unlike Wiggins a few years back – so it’s a possibility that he’s just a mirror-image.

Not to mention that he wouldn’t exactly help the on-the-ball defense in Minnesota, where Ingram seems to lack the ability to keep a defender from bullying there way through the restricted area. but they can utilize some wild schemes with the crazy length in their starting lineup if it included Wiggins and Ingram.

A side piece to this deal that could go under-the-radar, would be guard Josh Hart, who has turned himself into one of the more prized, and efficient possessions around the league.

The 23-year-old is averaging 12 points per game with a shooting line of 47.3/45.5/71.4 — which is insane for a young prospect that is also one of few guards who is averaging over 60 percent from an efficiency stand point.

You make this deal as soon as possible if your Minnesota, with or without draft picks.

As for LA, Ingram just isn’t looking great next to LeBron. And he’s almost too good to play off the bench, so rather than waste Bron’s prime years, get superstars back while you can.

And we don’t see Anthony Davis in LA happening anytime soon, just saying.

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