longstrangetrip wrote:lipoli390 wrote:By the way, the momorere teams see the Wolves look pathetic this preseason, the Butler's value declines because it becomes increasingly clear that the Wolves have to augment the roster. As I've said repeatedly, it's highly unlikely Butler's value goes up from this point on. And there's more than a remote chance his value goes down. Meanwhile, watching T. Harris play tonight, I see his value going up.
We have to hope Pat Riley finally blinks and ups the ante for Butler before the regular season starts.
Or...a smart GM notices the difference between the Wolves with and without Butler, and realizes what an incredible difference maker he is. We're no smarter than many of the league's POBO's, and it's clear to most of us how much worse we are defensively without Butler.
Interesting point, LST. But I think GMs around the League and smarter than us, especially when it comes to understanding their own teams. So I'm sure they already know Butler's potential value to their respective teams, especially on the defensive end. But they probably don't have the same level of understanding or confidence in their understanding of the Wolves without Jimmy right now. Last night's game (and I would argue the 1st half of the Warriors game when it was starters versus starters) would likely confirm in their minds just how hapless the Wolves are without Jimmy. So if I'm Pat Riley, I'd call Glen Taylor and say the following:
"I know you've watched your team play so far this preseason. It's not pretty. I want you to know that we're ready to make a deal, but what Tom is asking for we just can't give. He want's our best wing whose only 25 and on a great team-friendly contract. He also wants us to include Adebayo, referred to by many as last year's steal of the draft. He also wants us to include or starting center, Whiteside, and one of our only 2 first round picks the next three years. Beyond that he also wants us to take the last 3 years of Gorgui's bloated contract. Giving you both Adebayo and Whiteside leaves us with Gorgui as our starting and only center. We made the playoffs last season without Jimmy and with the maturation of Richardson and Adebayo along with the return of Waiters we're confident we'll be a playoff team again without Jimmy. Of course we want Jimmy, but Tom's price is way too high under the circumstances."
Then Glen replies:
"OK, Pat, I hear you. What's your bottom line to get a deal done."
Pat replies:
"We're willing to include Richardson or Adebayo, but not both, and we're not willing to include our first round pick. We'd be willing to include Waiters if necessary to make the salaries work."
Glen replies:
"OK, I'll talk to Tom and see what I can do."
Glen to Thibodeau after the call:
"I just talked to Pat. He says your price is too high. He's willing to give us Richardson or Adebayo, but not both, and he won't part with his draft pick. He said he'd include Waiters in a package for salary purposes. Can you get any better offers from other teams? What are those offers?
After hearing Thibodeau's response on offers from other teams, depending on what he hears, Glen tells Thibodeau to accept one of those other offers or to do a deal with Miami for either Adebayo or Richardson, but to insist on getting Miami's 2019 1st rd pk no worse than top 12 protected.
If I were in Thibodeau's position, I'd response by telling Glen that I think I can get both Richardson and Adebayo if we hold out a little longer as Pat salavates more and more over the thought of having Butler, a pure Pat Riley type guy and his ticket to relevancy as a contender for a top 3 or 4 seed in the East. I'd suggest that we add Justin Patton if necessary to sweeten the deal. Unfortunately, I don't know that Glen has enough trust or patience in Thibodeau to go along with that. And I'm not even sure that approach would work.