Jimmy Butler continues to dominate trade discussions — even though there is no apparent deal for him out there and, after his suspension, Butler could return to the team. One of the more significant Butler trade topics leads us right into the Golden State Warriors talk.
Warriors not in the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes
On a very surface level, Jimmy Butler to Golden State makes sense: The Warriors want a star second shot creator to put next to Stephen Curry and Butler is a proven playoff performer.
However, Golden State is not making a move for Butler, according to a report in The Athletic. There are three reasons for that: 1) Butler is 35 and his game has taken a step back this season; 2) Butler has a lengthy injury history, which is especially concerning for a 35-year-old; 3) Butler is making $48.8 million this season, has a player option for $52.4 million next season and wants an extension (he could opt out of next season but reportedly wants the max of two years, $112.6 million if he does).
It’s hard to construct a trade that moves that large a salary under the NBA’s finally fully functioning CBA/luxury tax apron. To make a Butler to the Warriors trade work, it would be a 4- or 5-for-1 trade that includes guys like Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga — that’s a lot of depth to give up. However, the more telling reason the Warriors are not in on Butler is the money he is seeking with his injury history has a lot of teams hesitant, Golden State is just one of those.
Warriors have discussed Nikola Vucevic trade
The Warriors have been looking for shot creation and scoring to take some of the pressure off Curry, which was the idea behind the Dennis Schroder trade (he has struggled since being dealt). One name to watch is Bulls’ center Nikola Vucevic, who has been the most discussed Warrior trade target, The Athletic reports.
Vucevic can get them buckets, this season he is averaging 20.3 and 10.1 rebounds a game, shooting 44% from 3-point range. It’s also not that hard to put together a trade, Vucevic makes $20 million this season and is locked in for $21.4 million next season. Some combination of Gary Payton II, Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson and Kevon Looney, plus a pick, can get the deal done.
Steve Kerr wants Warriors to be patient
However, coach Steve Kerr said Saturday he doesn’t want his team to make another move just yet, a month out from the trade deadline (Feb. 6).
“Obviously, we’re a game above .500, so we’re not in a position to say, ‘Hey, we’re good enough. Let’s just stand firm.’ We have to assess all the options… For me, it’s let’s see what we can do in these next few weeks and hopefully we settle into this rotation, start shooting the ball better.”
Pacers, Grizzlies interested in Cameron Johnson
There are a lot of teams interested in Brooklyn’s Cameron Johnson — what team couldn’t use a 6’8″ wing averaging 19.5 points a game, shooting 43.6% from 3, who is also a plus defender?
Make sure to put the Pacers and Grizzlies in the mix, reports Marc Stein in his newsletter. The rumored asking price for Johnson is two first-round picks — the Nets aren’t giving up their best player for second-rounders. Ultimately, the Nets would be happy to keep Johnson, so the price is high, but there is a lot of interest around the league.
Bulls looking to trade Vucevic, maybe LaVine, Ball
Stein also updated something we all knew: The Chicago Bulls are open for business and willing to trade center Nikola Vucevic, wing Zach LaVine, and point guard Lonzo Ball. There is considerable interest in Vucevic (see the Warriors note above), and Denver has considered a LaVine trade. However, right now, teams are taking their time making decisions. Still, the Bulls are active.
Walker Kessler only available in lopsided trade
Utah’s Danny Ainge is known to drive a hard bargain, which appears to be the case with center Walker Kessler. While a number of teams — including the Lakers — have inquired about a trade, the sense is he’s not available in any kind of fair trade for the other team, reports Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times.
The buzz had been that it would take two first-round picks to get Kessler out of Utah, but if Ainge sees him as a long-term fit, then Kessler may be more expensive than that.
If you’re looking for a Jazz player who could be on the move, keep an eye on Jordan Clarkson.
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