NBA Trade Rumors: 5 possible deals for Jimmy Butler

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 23: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talks to the media after the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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PLAYA VISTA, CA – JUNE 25: Draft picks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 and Jerome Robinson #13 of the LA Clippers pose for a photo with Head Coach Doc Rivers during the Draft Press Conference at the Clippers Training Facility in Playa Vista, California on June 25, 2018 at Clippers Training Facility. 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) /

3. Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers made their way onto Jimmy Butler’s list of teams that he would like to join. It is a little bit curious as to why Butler would want to join the crowded Western Conference, in a city that has just seen it’s Lakers fandom skyrocket since they signed LeBron James.

However, the Clippers do have a lot to offer. Doc Rivers, despite any criticism he receives, is still a coach who has won a championship. Plus, next summer they will have the ability to sign two max-free agents. So that means that by joining the Clippers, Butler may have to suffer a little this year, but will be rewarded with a big contract and a friend to play with next summer.

Plus, the Clippers made two promising draft picks this year. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson. Gilgeous-Alexander looked very good in summer league play this year, shooting 46 percent from the field while contributing 2.3 steals per game. He still needs to grow into his body in order to finish at the level he was able to in college, but he is a smart basketball player who tends to make the right decision.

More importantly, while he didn’t shoot many 3s in college (1.5 per game), he shot them at a 40.4 percent clip and his 81.7 free throw percentage is a sign that his shooting should improve. Gilgeous-Alexander has room to grow, but will be a nice player for Butler to work with.

Jerome Robinson is very similar to Butler offensively, but has room to grow offensively. He converted 40.9 percent of the 3s he took last year in college, when he took 5.7 per game last year. At Boston College, he demonstrated that he is a great scorer with the ability to lead a team. His prospects in the NBA are exciting as he rounds into a more complete player. At least one of those players would likely be headed to Minnesota in trade, possibly with someone like Tobias Harris but there would still be plenty left for Butler to work with.

The Clippers just had a potentially great draft, and have a lot of cap space coming next summer. It would make for a good long-term fit for Butler.

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