The Los Angeles Clippers should go all-in on acquiring Jimmy Butler, even if it gives them just a small chance of landing Kawhi Leonard
When the Los Angeles Clippers lost Chris Paul last summer, and then elected to trade Blake Griffin in-season and then let DeAndre Jordan walk via free agency a few months ago, many pointed at a long rebuild for the franchise moving forward.
However, roughly a year after end of Lob City as we knew it, the Clippers are back in the news stream and could be on the verge of putting together a special roster.
According to recent reports, Jimmy Butler has requested a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Clippers are one of the teams that he prefers to land with. The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets are reportedly the other two teams on his preferred destination wishlist.
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But making a move for Butler right now would go beyond anything that he could provide this season. On the surface, he might not even make the Clippers a playoff team this year, depending on what they’d have to give up in any trade. However, he could set the table for a huge summer for the Clippers after the 2018-19 season. Not only would they have two max slots, but they could have the inside lane on signing two of the most sought after free agents next summer.
If they were to land Jimmy B now, they’d be the favorites to re-sign him when his contract expires. At the same time, there’s growing believe (according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski) that the Clippers are emerging as a frontrunner to sign Kawhi Leonard, who’s currently on the Toronto Raptors (but wanted to be in Los Angeles).
Trading for Jimmy Butler now would only peak Kawhi’s interest in potentially making a move West next summer. Plus, it’ll also give the Clippers new ammunition to combat the Lakers pull.
Even if this all blows up for them next summer, and they fail to couple a second star to stick next to Jimmy Butler, it’s worth the shot in the dark. The Los Angeles Clippers have a history of being disappointing. Taking big swings should be what this franchise is all about at this point in their road back to relevance.
And trading for Jimmy Butler would be the first of such moves.