Last week, it became known that Jimmy Butler had requested a trade out of the Minnesota Timberwolves organization. Earlier this year, he was reportedly upset with the nonchalant manner of the team’s younger players, including rising star Karl Anthony-Towns. Butler thought Towns was focusing too much on statistics and not winning, and there was clearly a dispute between the pair.
Just two days ago, Towns inked a 5-year, $190 million dollar contract extension. At just 22 years old, it is now clear that he is viewed as the franchise’s centerpiece. This gives Butler even more reason to want to depart, and he has let the team know his prime destinations – in Los Angeles with the Clippers or in New York with either the Knicks or Nets.
While he would be a perfect fit on any of those rosters, clearly not everything works out in the professional business that is the NBA. The two-way stud and four-time All-Star would work in a lot of places though, and here are his three other best options.
Toronto Raptors
If Jimmy Butler went to the Raptors, The North would arguably be the best team in the Eastern Conference. They would have the top two dual-way players (Kawhi Leonard) in the entire league, and with their strong bench and young guns they could topple the Celtics. He would honestly fit in so well, and Toronto should be able to afford him. If they could come up with a fair trade and send both a few draft picks and Kyle Lowry, it’d make Toronto an immediate threat.
Philadelphia 76ers
This is a team most people haven’t really considered, but it is a fantastic fit in all honesty. Imagine a starting lineup with Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, and Joel Embiid. If Philadelphia sent a pick or two along with either J.J. Redick or Robert Covington, this might work (financially as well, as they could probably able to pay him. That lineup would be scary, and their styles of play would mold together extremely well. The 76ers would emerge as one of the East’s best, and potentially see a Finals birth.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Once again, this is a sleeper option for Butler. The Thunder have some good trade pieces in Dennis Schröder and Patrick Patterson, who are getting paid more than $20 million combined this year. If they swapped them and a pick, Butler would work alongside Russell Westbrook and Paul George perfectly. Oklahoma City would become even more of a contender with starpower like that.
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