If Not Butler Then Who

[Lipoli390]

It's pretty obvious that Thibs in his PBO role has been highly focused on pursuing former Bulls players he coached. As we all know, Thibs traded for Butler and signed Gibson as well as Aaron Brooks this past summer. But it was also widely reported that he pursued Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Noah previously. I'm not suggesting that Thibs never considered players unless they played for him with the Bulls. For example, he signed Teague as a free agent. But Thibs has what looks like an obvious bias towards pursuing players he had while coaching the Bulls.

So that got me thinking. Who else, if anyone, could the Wolves have potentially gotten who might have been better than Butler in return for Dunn, Zach and our 1st round pick? No names have yet popped into my head. Obviously, I would have loved to acquire the Greek Freak or Ben Simmons, but those don't seem like they were realistic possibilities. How about Devin Booker? I wonder if the Suns would have gone for that deal? Does that seem realistic? Would that have been better than Butler? Other ideas?

Not that I'm disappointed in Butler. But my mind began to wander and wonder on a night with no Wolves game. :)

[TAFKASP]

Personally I don't think you get anybody better than Butler for what the Wolves gave up. In fact I'm still shocked at how little it cost.

[petecorcoran [enjin:6658618]]

Yep. He liked Bulls' players. Even more, he wanted experience. And due to the age difference, I doubt that either Simmons or the Greek guy was available. Booker? Maybe.

My preference would have been to keep Rubio and spend the Teague money on a defensive big, moving KAT to PF.

[Lipoli390]

Yep. He liked Bulls' players. Even more, he wanted experience. And due to the age difference, I doubt that either Simmons or the Greek guy was available. Booker? Maybe.

My preference would have been to keep Rubio and spend the Teague money on a defensive big, moving KAT to PF.

I think keeping Ricky would have given us a shot at getting Kyrie Irving. Wiggins and Rubio for Irving seems realistic to me given what the Cavs actually got in return, unless the Cavs really believed Thomas would come back strong from a hip injury that doesn't heal without surgery. I don't think the Cavs were that daft.

[petecorcoran [enjin:6658618]]

Yep. He liked Bulls' players. Even more, he wanted experience. And due to the age difference, I doubt that either Simmons or the Greek guy was available. Booker? Maybe.

My preference would have been to keep Rubio and spend the Teague money on a defensive big, moving KAT to PF.

I think keeping Ricky would have given us a shot at getting Kyrie Irving. Wiggins and Rubio for Irving seems realistic to me given what the Cavs actually got in return, unless the Cavs really believed Thomas would come back strong from a hip injury that doesn't heal without surgery. I don't think the Cavs were that daft.

Wiggins and Rubio would have been great for both teams. Then use the Teague money on a three.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

We traded away the wrong wing, but that's behind us. And no I don't think there was anyone better than Jimmy Butler available.

[thedoper]

This will remain the biggest coup in Wolves history. Really still amazes me we got Butler for the steaming garbage we gave up.

[bleedspeed]

This will remain the biggest coup in Wolves history. Really still amazes me we got Butler for the steaming garbage we gave up.

I am thinking we might have lost this trade by year 3 and Wiggins was the guy to go. I would have felt better trading him straight up.

LaVine will be a stud
Dunn looks much better
Markkanen looks legit

[thedoper]

This will remain the biggest coup in Wolves history. Really still amazes me we got Butler for the steaming garbage we gave up.

I am thinking we might have lost this trade by year 3 and Wiggins was the guy to go. I would have felt better trading him straight up.

LaVine will be a stud
Dunn looks much better
Markkanen looks legit

If Lavine ever learned the game beyond jumping and shooting he may be a stud. I just never see his intelligence on the court coming within a sniff of a plus player. Glad he's gone. I'm a little sadder that we don't have Dunn anymore and wish him the best. Bottom line none of these players are going to provide anywhere near the value Jimmy does.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

We traded away the wrong wing, but that's behind us. And no I don't think there was anyone better than Jimmy Butler available.

Good to hear from you Cam!

I still like the trade, but we may end up regretting it in the long run. Time will tell.