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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 28: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers on March 28, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Brooklyn Nets

Although the Philadelphia 76ers knocked the Brooklyn Nets out in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Nets could get their revenge this summer by stealing Butler away.

According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, “the feeling around the NBA is the Nets will have a very real chance” to sign Butler. Lewis reported Butler “is believed to like” the culture Brooklyn has established in recent years under head coach Kenny Atkinson and general manager Sean Marks.

Before the Sixers acquired Butler this past fall, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Nets’ “ability to sign two max free agents in the summer will keep them in consideration for Butler, but he has prioritized the Clippers and Knicks over them.” With the Clippers reportedly uninterested in signing Butler and the Knicks perhaps prioritizing other targets, he may have to rethink that stance.

The scrappy Nets likely impressed Butler in their first-round playoff matchup, as they stole Game 1 in Philly and hung tough for most of the series. Armed with a strong supporting cast, Brooklyn may be one two-way star away from moving into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.

Earlier this month, the Nets agreed to salary-dump Allen Crabbe ($18.5 million) to the Atlanta Hawks after the July Moratorium lifts, according to Wojnarowski. In doing so, they gave themselves the ability to carve out enough salary-cap space for two max contracts this summer if they renounce their rights to All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell.

The Nets could also keep Russell’s $21.1 million cap hold on their books and have plenty of cap space to afford Butler and round out their roster. Either way, it shouldn’t be difficult for Brooklyn to sell Butler on joining the core of a 42-win team in a massive media market.

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