Minnesota Sports Forum

Q12543 wrote:I would think if we literally get a top 2 or 3 pick as opposed to something in the 6-9 range, we could get the Bulls to pick up the phone when it comes to Jimmy Butler.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:I'm happy the Clippers lost. As much as I dig PGs... I've never been a Chris Paul for all his other antics. He just seems like a prick based on nothing more than what I see on tv.

So what happens with that team?

We can pretty much assume Griffin is gone. The Clippers win about 60% of their games without him over the past few years. And the injury bug that continues to derail seasons can't be ignored. OKC? Boston? Miami?

I think Paul might resign. After all, as noted, he and Deeandre Jordan and a couple of shooters can win about 50 games. If he does move on... what about San Antonio? Would he be willing to take a deep paycut to join the Spurs culture and chase championships with Leonard for the next 3 or 4 years? Pop has shown he has a knack for extending careers.

I don't know where Reddick goes. He played poorly for most of the series. But I think he's still a solid player. I also think the Clippers dysfunction might have weighed on him more than anybody else... based on quotes he was making throughout the season.

lipoli390 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Good to see the Bulls and Clippers get ousted in the first round. It gives me hope that perhaps they might be willing to blow things up, putting players like Butler, Jordan, and Griffin in play. Even if we don't land one of those guys, it means some other team is using cap space and a roster spot to get them. That means there are less suitors for the likes of Milsap, etc. (still a tough get though....).

I agree, Q. I agree with Monster that the Bulls are less likely to blow things up, but both will have to consider it. The Clippers front office will have less control over the situation because so many of their key guys - Paul, Griffin, Redick - are unrestricted free agents.

When it comes to the Bulls, I can certainly see the Wolves having discussions about deals for Jimmy Butler. The Bulls price would likely be no less than at least one of the following: KAT, Wiggins, LaVine or our lottery pick, although I'm not sure Zach coming off his ACL surgery would be enough for the Bulls. No way Thibs would trade KAT or Wiggins for Jimmy. Question is whether he would, or should, trade Zach or our lottery pick for Jimmy. I'd consider trading either one, but I'd want the Bull's first round pick this year or next in return and I doubt the Bulls would go for that. I like Butler, but until this past season he had a hard time staying healthy, rarely playing more than 65 games in a season.

As for the Clippers, Chris Paul wouldn't sign with us. I don't see Griffin signing here and I wouldn't want him since he's an injury waiting to happen. It will be interesting to see what team offers him a max deal because I wouldn't. You just can't count on him over the course of a 4-year deal. Redick is the only one in the bunch who might sign here, but I'm not sure he'd be worth the $17 million per year he's likely to get. I think D'Andre Jordan would be a great fit here, but I don't know what it would take to get him. If it's just our lottery pick, then I'm interested, although I'd hate to help a Conference rival rebuild. I generally don't like major deals with Western Conference teams.

I like your thinking about the availability of Paul and Griffin on the FA market enhancing our chances of landing Paul Millsap, even thought the odds would still be long.