All indicators level to the Warmth buying and selling Jimmy Butler earlier than the Feb. 6 deadline. In response to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Butler will welcome a transfer to no less than two Texas-based groups, the Warriors and Suns.
Right here, we rank his three finest touchdown spots primarily based on basketball match and whether or not his addition would transfer his new franchise nearer to a title.
No. 3: Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves weren’t on Butler’s reported most popular locations, however they might use his companies — now greater than ever. The franchise is going through an identification disaster since buying and selling Karl-Anthony Cities. Moreover dropping its defensive edge, it has struggled to shut out groups within the clutch, as evidenced by its 7-10 record in video games determined by single digits within the remaining 5 minutes.
Minnesota wants a chilled presence in late-game conditions and a co-star to share the workload with Anthony Edwards. On Monday, for instance, Edwards was the one offensive menace on the ground as a result of Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo’s chilly capturing nights, resulting in the Hawks trapping and denying him the ball.
The feisty personalities of Edwards and Butler might mesh, making Minnesota a power to deal with.
No. 2: Golden State Warriors
It is a easy case of the Warriors needing to maximise Stephen Curry’s prime and Butler being one of the best participant out there by way of trades. By way of basketball match, Butler — an ISO participant who makes an attempt only 1.4 catch-and-shoot FG per recreation — would not precisely match Golden State’s system.
Nonetheless, he’ll carry defensive tenacity, management and different intangibles that may’t be measured. Moreover, Butler’s USG% has dropped to twenty.8 this season, his lowest since the 2013-14 season. In recent times, he has more and more deferred to Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, and there is not any motive he cannot do the identical with Curry and Co.
The Warriors might additionally profit from his capacity to dribble-penetrate — they rank 26th in drives, and Butler, 35, remains to be above common at attending to the rim and making performs.
No. 1: Houston Rockets
The younger Rockets haven’t got a go-to possibility down the stretch. In some video games, it is Fred VanVleet’s flip to take them dwelling, and different conditions name for Alperen Sengun or Jalen Inexperienced.
Whereas the by-committee strategy is working for the second-seeded Rockets (20-9), one wonders if they might use a real nearer like Butler, particularly within the postseason. One more reason the Rockets take advantage of sense is they do not must intestine roster depth to land Butler, not like his different most popular locations.
Houston might theoretically commerce VanVleet’s expiring contract, Jeff Inexperienced and some first-round picks whereas retaining its core. Butler can be going into battle with a number of younger thoroughbreds backed by the confirmed head coach in Ime Udoka. It additionally helps that Butler is a Houston native.
