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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 07: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket past Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during a 114-110 Lakers win at Staples Center on November 7, 2018 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. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 07: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket past Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during a 114-110 Lakers win at Staples Center on November 7, 2018 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. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

The only two players that L.A. will absolutely have to give up for any superstar via a trade this season will be Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and/or Rajon Rondo (total salary of $21 million).

In this deal, we’d see the Lakers sending that cap in the form of two bench players to Minnesota that pairs up with the offensive freak Kyle Kuzma, as well as two first round picks over next three years.

Rajon Rondo would clog up the point guard rotation, but Jeff Teague and Tyus Jones need to be placed on the trading block anyways. So why not get Teague or Jones out while you can get some assets back for them?

This deal is pretty similar to the first one, just different in the aspect that the Wolves would be taking the chance on draft picks instead of getting a talent like Josh Hart now – although I’m sure if Thibs begged enough, Hart could be added to this deal.

Kuzma, a lot like Ingram, brings nice size to any NBA roster. And continues to impress on the offensive end of the court, averaging 19.2 points per contest.

Kuzma could be the future wing/power forward for the Wolves, and allow them to use Andrew Wiggins off the ball more, helping clear up any gaps in the offense.

The Lakers would ultimately be winning this deal, unlike the previous one, because you can expect their two firsts they potentially give up to Minny to be high picks when LeBron James is on your team. Unless, of course, the Lakers completely fall apart and no superstar comes to join Bron in LA – and I wouldn’t be surprised at the possibility of that either.

Even though this is a nice haul from LA, I’d stick with the first deal.

I didn’t add in Lonzo Ball to either of these deals, because of two reasons:

  1. Frankly, I’m not a huge fan of him for the money he will ask for in the near future.
  2. He’s theoretically one of the best points you could place next to LeBron, who loves playing the uptempo pass-it-around game.

If I’m Tom Thibodeau, and either of these deals come across my table, I’m immediately interested.

Next. The Timberwolves should trade Andrew Wiggins. dark

The Lakers and Magic Johnson would have to weigh the pros and cons of taking the risk on Jimmy Butler re-signing or choosing to leave, which is a difficult decision to make.

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