Four-time All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler, who has requested a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves, reportedly prefers to play for either the L.A. Clippers, New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets.
All three teams could be willing to trade for Butler before the 2018-19 season starts under the right circumstances, according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Butler is scheduled to make $18.7 million this season and has a $19.8 million player option for the 2019-20 season. If Butler declines that option, he will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019.
Butler never wanted the Chicago Bulls to trade him. He wants to play in a big market and be the franchise star, which is why he's chosen Los Angeles and New York as his next destination. The 29-year-old wants to be part of an organization which will give him the resources to recruit other superstars, something he can't do in Minnesota.
The Knicks and Nets don't really have the assets to acquire Jimmy Butler. New York isn't going to include Kristaps Porzingis in any deal, and the Nets are lacking a transcendent player on their roster that Minnesota would be interested in.
The Clippers could come up with a package built around Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley and multiple draft picks. It's nothing flashy, but it might be the best offer the Timberwolves will get, especially if they want to honor Butler's request and send him to a team on his wishlist.
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