Jimmy Butler has made the last minute bell strike on the Timberwolves, as he requested a trade earlier Wednesday following a meeting with head coach Tom Thibodeau as the two sides couldn't come to terms on the future direction for Butler, after contractual negotiations fell through. Now as Minnesota stares across the pile of trades that will surely swarm over the next few days, there's one in particular that they may want to take a deeper look into.
Enter the Toronto Raptors — a team that recently made a huge splash and gamble in acquiring forward Kawhi Leonard, and could be primed to contend for the East for years to come in the event they can give Leonard a convincing season and entice him into signing a max deal in the summer.
Adding the talents Butler brings would make them instant favorites to win the East over rivals such as the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics as well as place them in the NBA Finals this season.
The question for the Raptors, is whether or not to ship off major pieces and assets, to take on a double-jeopardy risk in the offseason of 2019. They could sell both Butler and Leonard on being instilled into a winning culture without having to go somewhere else and develop it all over again, while also being able to retain both in the offseason as well, giving Butler the possible running mate he's been in search of.
Yet this will come at a hefty price, likely requiring a package of multiple players in the range of Danny Green, Fred VanVleet, and young standout stud in OG Anunoby. It may not be enough to materialize a deal, as Minnesota will likely be looking to get a surefire star in return, forcing Toronto's hand with a move such as including Kyle Lowry with one of the above.
In any case at the current, it wouldn't make much legitimate sense for the Raptors to pursue the Butler sweepstakes so aggressively, as the result would be in them giving up more than they can afford with having little numbers in young players with impressive contracts to match Butler's.
The end result would come with also giving up a slew of draft picks to avoid giving up a star or key player, which many teams have reportedly been reluctant to entertain.
The move however would put Butler back in the East, giving him a higher chance at publicity in making the All-Star game, higher playoff pushes, and All NBA awards.
The Toronto Raptors would be giving themselves a bit more higher percentage in the gambling table that is free agency next summer, as if Kawhi does decide to bolt for Los Angeles, they would still have a chance to make a push in keeping Butler if the organization has done enough to sell him on the idea of continuing his career in Canada for the next four years.
Butler is currently 29, which puts his in his mid-30s at the end of his next contract, wherever he may end up. For the Raptors, they'll make a move on such a long term implied deal only if it holds great value.
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