Only one NBA team still has any real cap space available for the 2018/19 season, and that team – Sacramento – is keeping a close eye on the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com. According to Wojnarowski, the Kings have been “aggressive” in courting both the Timberwolves and potential Butler suitors, offering to use their cap room to accommodate unwanted contracts.
As Wojnarowski explains, the Kings – who have about $11MM in cap space – don’t have their own first-round pick for 2019, but could be in position to acquire another team’s first-rounder or other assets as part of a three-way Butler swap. Sacramento assistant GM Brandon Williams has let teams know that his club isn’t opposed to taking on multiyear contracts, whether that means Gorgui Dieng‘s deal or perhaps a pricey contract from a potential Wolves trade partner like the Heat, Clippers, or Nets.
While the Kings don’t have enough cap room to absorb, say, Dieng’s $15MM+ salary on its own, the club could send out any number of expiring contracts to make the math work. Zach Randolph ($11.7MM), Iman Shumpert ($11MM), Kosta Koufos ($8.74MM), and Ben McLemore ($5.46MM) are among the Sacramento veterans on expiring deals.
As the Kings explore ways to get involved in a possible Butler deal, teams interested in acquiring the All-Star wing have been receiving mixed signals from the Timberwolves on what kind of assets they value, sources tell Wojnarowski. According to ESPN’s report, clubs dealing with the Wolves are also confused about whether to deal with owner Glen Taylor or front office execs Tom Thibodeau and Scott Layden — there’s a perception that the management and ownership groups may not be in agreement on the structure and timetable of a potential trade.
Although Thibodeau tried on Monday to convince Butler to report to the team during the preseason, the 29-year-old remains adamantly opposed to ever practicing or playing with the Timberwolves again and has implored Thibodeau and Taylor to trade him soon to avoid prolonging the drama, writes Wojnarowski. While there has been some optimism among opposing teams that Minnesota will comply with that request, “renewed uncertainty and hazy chains of communication” have dominated recent talks, Woj adds.
I’ll pass. Not interested in him on my Mavs
Mavs are actually a solid team for him
It’s probably safe to cross the Mavericks off the list of possible suitors for Butler, according to Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News, who hears from a high-ranking Mavs official that “he’s not coming here.” Emphatically well stated..
Read today Nets could make an offer including Russell, Hollis-Jefferson, and a pick. Say Russell and Towns are friends.
So then Butler leaves and they have no one on the roster?
Nets, Knicks, Bucks, Clippers, Jazz and San Antonio make the most sense fit wise. Let’s not sleep on the Spurs here. Butler fits the mold of a Pop guy. Also think he would fit well with Mitchell in Utah. Snyder is an up and coming coaching star.
Popovich just got rid of a petty, selfish, egotistical drama queen. You think he’s eager to take on another?
As a Bulls fan, I caution every single one of the fans in these “potential suitor” (of Jimmy Butler) cities.
He’s a major clubhouse cancer, isn’t a team leader, and it completely negates any upside he has. Be careful what you wish for.
Jimmy is a cancer. He will cost Thibbs his job. Who is to say he won’t do that next stop when his offer wont be max. He will just jump to the highest bidder. Hes about the money. Not the wins. He just talk a good game.
These negativities may rule out the Jazz but I doubt the Spurs. Pops did not want Kawhi to leave, and got the most from him; he can handle Butler too… but the problem remains of his single year left.
Spurs have the 3 to sort out.
Kings’ cap space will never have more value than it does right now. Nobody else has any left right now (few had much this past summer). But most of the teams in the league will have a bunch next summer. Still not sure they can get a 1st round pick out of it.
The Nets got a top 12 protected 1st for having $20 or so mil to take on Faried and Arthur. They also got a 2020 second but not every GM is Jedi Sean Marks especially not Vlade.
Atlanta used about $15 mil of space and traded Schroder ($15 mil/yr) to acquire Melo’s deal. That got them a 1st but I think it’s more protected than what DEN gave the Nets and it’s a cpl years down the road. SAC’s $11 mil might get them a 1st if they take a really bad contract back.
Idk if this makes sense but why not
Timberwolves give up Jimmy buckets, gibson a 2nd
Rockets Give up Future pick to kings
Kings give up Randolph,
Rockets also give Chriss, and a bench piece
Twolves receive Randolph, Chriss, bench piece a 2nd
Kings receive Gibson, first and second
Rockets receive Butler
This is probably trash but whatever lol
lol What did Gibson do to get mixed up with this? He would just be an old guy they don’t need on the Kings, instead of being in Thibs’ rotation. Maybe you anticipate Thibs not being there much longer…
Wolves won’t go for it.
… as currently constituted.
Just thinking though, if Taylor wanted Thibs to resign, making a trade for multiple ex-bulls might send a message that leads to that. It’s pretty mean but Taylor may not be a happy owner at this point! Seems like there is some insubordination going on.
im sure houston is regretting trading ryan anderson now
Good point. Rockets could’ve done something like
MIN get Anderson, Gordon, Hartenstein, future 1st and 2 2nds, cash considerations
HOU gets Butler, Dieng
Or something like that.
With the Kings front office is like a devil’s three way. Two teams will get off with a good deal but the Kings will still somehow get screwed in the deal.