Minnesota Sports Forum

Hicks123 wrote:So, if we had to trade Butler.....and I realize Thibs isn't likely to do so......would you do this deal?

Houston gets: Butler, Dieng, Tyus
MN gets: re-signed Capela (near-max), Ryan Anderson

What I can't figure out is if Capela is a product of Houston's scheme, or if he can be a dominant player next to anyone. Certainly, he instantly improves our interior defense a ton. A move like this means we remain a bit stagnant this season, but opens up a ton of cap space next season by ridding ourselves of Diengs deal and Anderson expiring. Also, adds another pillar that fits the age range of Towns and Wiggins.

As I look at Houston's roster, I just question their ability to repeat last season due to a severe lack of depth. Carmelo is NOT the key to this team winning, in fact, he may be a net negative. Capela is what they need, but they don't seem willing to pay what he wants. In addition, Butler certainly provides the type of guy that can fit with Harden/Paul, and they would probably mesh on a personal level.

Just spit-ballin. Capela seems like an ideal fit for the Wolves given his ability to cover so much ground and provide interior toughness. I wouldn't trade Jimmy for many players, but the idea of Capela with this core is extremely interesting.

lipoli390 wrote:Apparently, Jimmy Butler recently had some kind of elective surgery on his right hand. Hopefully, the hand won't be an ongoing problem for him. Also hoping the knee operated on last spring won't become a chronic problem for him. Also hoping that Jimmy doesn't develop the same problem with his other knee sometime next season. Also hoping Jimmy can mend fences with Towns after publicly criticizing him through a Chicago reporter. Finally, I'm looking forward to Butler not only playing more than the 59 games he played last season, but playing more than his 67-game average. Then we can all hope next summer that he signs an extension to stay because otherwise the Wolves will have given up LaVine, Dunn and the 7th pick in last year's draft essentially for nothing.

Can all these hopes be fulfilled? Yes. If Butler plays 75+ games, forms a bond with his teammates as a real leader and the rest of the team remains relatively healthy, the Wolves should finish in the top 4 in the West. And if that happens, I can see Jimmy extending with the Wolves next summer at age 30 with 3-4 season left playing at the top of his game.

khans2k5 wrote:I think he did it just to miss USA camp. Since it's just a camp and there's no competitions this year it's a free out for not having to go. I also wouldn't be shocked if the elective nature of it was off the front office's radar and they say they wanted to keep it under wraps when in reality they probably found out when everyone else did and they don't want to look bad that they had no idea it was gonna happen.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:Apparently, Jimmy Butler recently had some kind of elective surgery on his right hand. Hopefully, the hand won't be an ongoing problem for him. Also hoping the knee operated on last spring won't become a chronic problem for him. Also hoping that Jimmy doesn't develop the same problem with his other knee sometime next season. Also hoping Jimmy can mend fences with Towns after publicly criticizing him through a Chicago reporter. Finally, I'm looking forward to Butler not only playing more than the 59 games he played last season, but playing more than his 67-game average. Then we can all hope next summer that he signs an extension to stay because otherwise the Wolves will have given up LaVine, Dunn and the 7th pick in last year's draft essentially for nothing.

Can all these hopes be fulfilled? Yes. If Butler plays 75+ games, forms a bond with his teammates as a real leader and the rest of the team remains relatively healthy, the Wolves should finish in the top 4 in the West. And if that happens, I can see Jimmy extending with the Wolves next summer at age 30 with 3-4 season left playing at the top of his game.

Sure it's possible Lip, but highly unlikely all those hopes come to fruition. I have to see it before I'm going to get my hopes too high. Much bigger chance it goes the other way.