kekgeek1 wrote:The one thing that legit concerns me about if we trade for Butler for whatever it is.
How will this affect wiggins game. He probably moves to the 3rd option on the team and the 2nd wing alpha. If he is not the main scoring wing threat does his focus go. Or does his defense increase because he can play less minutes and dosen't need to carry the offensive load?
I think Butler's presence probably helps Wiggins in two ways. First, Butler would draw defensive attention away from Wiggins and make Wiggins even more effective on the offensive end. Second, Butler's an excellent defender who would likely guard the opposing team's best wing, thus reducing Wiggins defensive burden. I have no doubt the team gets immediately better with Butler even if we end up trading LaVine to get him (provided we don't give up KAT or Wiggins). However, let's not kid ourselves. We were a 31-win team last season. Butler isn't going to elevate this team into title contention or even the top 5. And I still have doubts about his ability to stay healthy over the course.
Word appoint the League is that the Celtics aren't intersted in Butler even though they clearly have the assets to get him without disrupting their core or completely depleting their plethora of future draft picks. Interesting that the team with the best record in the East isn't interested in acquiring Butler. Danny Ainge has proven to be a pretty savvy GM. If Danny isn't interested acquiring Butler to augment an already top contender in the East, I wonder why a 31-win team like the Wolves would give up any significant assets to get him. Teams don't seem to be breaking down the door to get Butler. The Cavs were apparently intersted, but that may no longer be the case after Gilbert fired the GM who was actively pursing Butler.
So I'm open to the possibility of acquiring Butler and Thibs should certainly talk to the Bulls about possible deals to get him. But if it were up to me, I wouldn't give up a lot to get him. I'd go as far as offering #7 and Ricky for Butler, Rondo and the Bulls 2nd round pick. I don't expect that the Bulls would do the deal, but it would of course depend on who's available at #7. If Tatum, Jackson or Isaac were available at #7 I could see the Bulls doing that deal, but I'm not sure the Wolves should.