Fansided

Biggest impacts of NBA stars changing teams this offseason

By Joe Romano

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against Isaiah Thomas #4 and Jae Crowder #99 of the Boston Celtics during the game on January 3, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against Isaiah Thomas #4 and Jae Crowder #99 of the Boston Celtics during the game on January 3, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Timberwolves
BLOOMINGTON, MN – JUNE 29: Tom Thibobeau introduces Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves to the public during a press conference at the Mall of America on June 29, 2017 in Bloomington, 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

New Team — Minnesota Timberwolves

Old Team — Chicago Bulls

How did he get here? Traded with the No. 16 pick (Justin Patton) for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the No. 7 pick (Lauri Markkanen)

What is he entering? Jimmy Butler did not express interest in leaving the Bulls but rumors started after the season that Chicago was going to deal him, with the culmination coming on draft night. The Wolves swooped in and grabbed Butler for a package that they reportedly offered last year and had shot down.

Butler joins up and coming stars Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony Towns as backbones of the new look Wolves. He is also reunited with former coach Tom Thibodeau. Few teams will look so drastically different entering this season than Minnesota. The addition of Butler was accompanied by trading Ricky Rubio to Utah and replacing him with Jeff Teague. They also snatched up fellow former Thibodeau player Taj Gibson. Finally the team added a scoring punch by signing Jamal Crawford.

Teague is the nominal point guard but this offense will run through Butler, Towns and Wiggins, perhaps not in that order. Towns will enter the season turning 22 and may already be the best player on the team. He is the perfect modern NBA big man who can do it all. Wiggins and Towns both will need to tighten up their defense if Minnesota wants to take the jump into the playoffs.

One thing that analysts have concerns over is the lack of outside shooting. Teague is league average at best. Butler and Wiggins are respectable but neither are the lights out shooters you’d like to see from wing players. They both prefer to drive with the ball with Butler also being an excellent playmaker from that spot. Towns can stretch the floor but paired with Gibson shrinks the spacing for the two wings.

Thibodeau brought back some old horses and veterans to shore up a shaky defense. If the two youngsters continue their growth, expect Minnesota to make noise in the Western Conference.

What is he leaving behind? Butler leaves behind a rebuild similar to Paul George in Indiana. The difference is the Bulls got young players on cheap contracts and a draft pick for Butler. LaVine is coming off an injury but has shown promise as a real useful player.

Kris Dunn had a disappointing rookie season in Minnesota. The hopes they had of him supplanting Ricky Rubio were quickly dashed after it was apparent he wasn’t as pro-ready as scouts thought coming out of Providence. He still projects as a plus-defender but will need to show some offensive ability to stick around.

Lauri Markkanen was the No. 7 overall pick in this draft. Some scouts saw a lesser Dirk Nowitzki in the 7-footer who could shoot the lights out. Others worried about his lack of rebounding presence, and defensive ability. There is no doubt he can score but his defense may keep him off the floor. Luckily the Bulls do not have playoff aspirations and he will be thrown in the fire from day one.

The Bulls are in talks with veteran guard Dwyane Wade about a buyout and it is expected the two sides come to an agreement before the season. It also would not be surprising to see the Bulls explore the trade market for serviceable center Robin Lopez, the team’s other veteran.

The rebuilding Bulls will be patient with LaVine coming off his injury. The team will rotate Dunn in with Jerian Grant to judge if any are the team’s point guard of the future. Former first round picks Denzel Valentine and Bobby Portis will get more of a shot to showcase their skills. A loaded 2018 lottery has the Bulls prepared to tank.

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