It finally happened. After weeks of waiting, cringing, eye rolling, debating, shouting, backstabbing, resting, and manipulating, the Minnesota Timberwolves have finally moved on from Jimmy Butler.
Monday, the news broke that Minnesota had finally broken down and decided to trade the 4 time all-star after a 5 game losing streak and put this miserable situation behind them. Along with Butler, the Wolves shipped off former 16th overall pick Justin Patton, who has appeared in just one game in his illustrious NBA career thus far.
What matters to us is who was coming back in return. After fielding offers from a number of teams including the Heat, Rockets, Pelicans, Nets, Clippers, and more, the 76’ers quietly snuck in to get a deal done. Minnesota got back swingmen Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 2nd round pick.
This deal accomplishes both of Minnesota’s goals when seeking a trade partner. First and most importantly, it keeps the Wolves decent in the present. The reality of the situation is that owner Glen Taylor and Coach/GM Tom Thibodeau are not going to be in Minnesota for the long term.
The Rockets reportedly offered 4 1st round picks for Butler, which would be exciting as a fan. Time and time again teams rise to the top of the league by acquiring these kinds of assets. However, neither Thibs or Taylor will likely be around to see those picks contribute to wins. Covington and Saric will both help Minnesota keep their head above water for the next few years.
Let’s take a quick closer look at their fit. Covington is a 28 year old “3 and D” guy who is a perfect fit for the current NBA style. He is a career 36% 3 point shooter who can defend multiple positions on the floor and is athletically gifted enough to have an immediate impact on both sides of the court.
Saric, the 12th overall pick in 2012, is a 24 year old who hasn’t quite fully developed yet. He is good 3 point shooter, a decent rebounder and passer, and should be able to grow with more opportunity in Minnesota.
Lastly, the key part to the trade in my opinion, is the addition by subtraction. Jimmy Butler was a cancer to this team this season. He destroyed the locker room, played extremely selfishly and would sit out due to “general soreness.” I know 65 year old guys who still make it to open gym basketball who never skip a day due to “general soreness.”
Basically, Jimmy Butler was highly demanding, mean spirited and by all accounts just not a fun guy to play with. The evidence looks pretty clear so far, as the Wolves have beaten the Nets and Pelicans without Butler in two of their better games of the season (Edit: And got dismantled by the Grizzlies).
From afar the team, specifically Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, are playing freely. They also looked like they actually enjoyed basketball again. I can’t imagine the strain Butler must have been putting on the rest of his teammates and how it must feel to have that dark cloud finally away from their team.
There is no question that Butler is one of the more talented players in the league and the 76′ers are definitely more likely to make the NBA Finals now, but I am relieved that we can actually enjoy Timberwolves basketball again. And hey, maybe kicking Butler to the curb was exactly what our hopefully future stars Wiggins and Towns needed to start their ascension. Maybe this will all work out after all. Maybe it could be addition by subtraction.