NBA Trade Deadline 2019: One trade every team should make

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 17: Center Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket against Center JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at the Amway Center on November 17, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Lakers 130 to 117. 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 Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 1: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the LA Clippers on January 1, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Clippers have become one of the best-run franchises in the NBA thanks to the addition of Jerry West. The Logo has helped transform the Lob City Clippers into … well, whatever they’re going to be next. Right now they’re a team that doesn’t have any bad contracts but doesn’t have very many good players locked up for multiple years. They were one of the teams on the list for one Jimmy Butler, however, and this trade gives them a chance to acquire the superstar wing before the offseason begins.

While losing Gallinari hurts, they can easily push Tobias Harris up to the 4 while putting Butler at the 3. They would be moving a ton of draft picks to acquire Butler, but the immediate impact is only felt this year with second-round picks, and the hope is that they’ll be good enough in 2021 that losing the pick won’t sting very much.

For the 76ers, while it was fun to try out Butler for a time, it doesn’t seem like he’s going to be a good fit for them in the playoffs or long term. Getting Gallinari, a floor-spacing big that can play alongside Embiid, Simmons, and Redick, as well as Robinson, allows them to play a bigger lineup in the postseason. If they’re a year away from title contention, they’re a year away — they’ll be back next season, and they’ll have a first-round pick in 2021 they can use to try to acquire another piece.

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