NBA Free Agency 2019: 5 potential destinations for Jimmy Butler

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 02: Jimmy Butler #23 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers react after a timeout against the Toronto Raptors in the fourth quarter of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Raptors 116-95. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 13: Dennis Smith Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket against Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers on February 13, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. New York Knicks

After clearing enough salary-cap space at the trade deadline to offer two max contracts this summer, the New York Knicks will be mentioned by default as a possible landing spot for any star free agent.

However, Butler’s level of interest in joining the franchise remains unclear.

Before the Sixers acquired Butler this past fall, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported he preferred to be traded to the Knicks or Los Angeles Clippers. Both Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today and Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer later reported that Butler wasn’t as keen on the Knicks as had been reported, though.

Butler will likely feign interest in the Knicks this summer if only to drive up his asking price elsewhere, but they genuinely may be more appealing now than they were back in September. Rookie big man Mitchell Robinson is raw but has incredible upside, Dennis Smith Jr. is an uber-athletic young point guard and New York has the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft, which it figures to spend on high-volume Duke forward RJ Barrett.

With Kevin Durant long rumored to be heading to the Big Apple this summer, Butler could have a superstar teammate and a promising young supporting cast if he joins the Knicks. New York could also flip most of its young core in a trade for Anthony Davis, which could help it form a new Big Three overnight.

While their 17-win season isn’t a great sales pitch to Butler, who has long proclaimed his primary motivation is winning, the Knicks’ enormous range of possibilities this summer should keep them in the running for him.

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