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NBA Trade Rumors: Teams would regret trading for Jimmy Butler

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks to pass the ball during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on December 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks to pass the ball during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on December 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)

NBA Trade Rumors: Jimmy Butler’s injury history in combination with the assets a team will have to give up to acquire him should give NBA teams pause

There is a well-documented history of organizations prioritizing talent over availability. A prime example of this is the Boston Celtics acquiring Kyrie Irving despite having an extensive injury history.

Kyrie Irving has missed 117 out of a possible 558 regular season games throughout seven seasons in the NBA due to injuries. During his tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyrie was sidelined for 95 out of a possible 476 regular season games with various ailments (including a broken left index finger and hyperextended knee).

The trend continued with the Boston Celtics this past season as he missed 22 regular season games and the playoffs due to a myriad of injuries (facial fractures, left quad contusion, left shoulder and quad soreness as well as knee surgery).Kyrie’s injury history is a big reason why the team lost game 7 of the Eastern Conference at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to NBA.com, the Celtics averaged 108.7 points per 100 possessions with Kyrie versus 101.9 points per 100 possessions without Kyrie.

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Unfortunately, NBA teams haven’t learned from the Kyrie Irving situation as they have began their pursuit of Jimmy Butler who requested a trade last week.

According to ESPN’S Adrian Wojnarowski multiple teams have been aggressive in pursuing a Butler trade:

"Brooklyn, Detroit, Houston, the LA Clippers, Miami, Philadelphia, Portland and Sacramento are among the teams interested in probing for deals. So far, Pat Riley and Miami have been as aggressive as any team, league sources said"

Jimmy Butler has missed 78 regular season games over the span of seven NBA seasons due to injuries. In six seasons as a member of the Chicago Bulls organization, Jimmy missed 55 games due to various injuries like a strained left knee and sprained left elbow.

Butler’s injury absences would have a dramatic effect on how the team performed. Jimmy missed about three weeks of action (3/2/15 to 3/23/15) with a sprained left elbow. During this stretch, Chicago accumulated a record of 5-5 while averaging 99.1 points per game and surrendering 110.2 points.

The trend continued during the following season as Jimmy was sidelined for a month with a strained left knee. Chicago played 10 games over that span amassing a record of 3-7 while averaging 111.5 points while giving up 120.1.

Jimmy Butler played one more season for the Chicago Bulls before getting traded to Minnesota prior to the 2017-18 season. The change in medical staff didn’t improve his chances to stay on the court as he sat for 18 games with a torn meniscus in his right knee. Over that stretch, the Timberwolves went 9-9 averaging 108.3 points and surrendering 109.

As a consequence, NBA teams should abandon their pursuit of Jimmy Butler. This is because teams would have to give mutiple assets to acquire a player who has a diffcult time staying on the floor.

In fact, ESPN’s Zach Lowe wrote an article detailing what teams would have to give up to acquire him.

"The Clips have among the easiest ready-made offers that would satisfy Thibodeau’s presumed desire to chase a playoff spot: Tobias Harris, one of Lou Williams/Patrick Beverley/Avery Bradley (not tradable until Jan. 15)/Milos Teodosic, and a future first-round pick (conveyed two years after the pick they already owe Boston via the disastrous Jeff Green deal)."

A potential trade to Los Angeles would leave the Clippers with Jimmy Butler and Danilo Gallinari as two of their three best players. Similar to Butler,  Gallinari has been plagued by injuries through his entire career as he’s missed 323 regular season with several ailments like a torn ACL and a non-displaced fracture of his right hand. 

Consequently, the team wouldn’t be improving their playoff chances because both players are bound to miss significant time due to injuries. Furthermore potential free agents might balk at signing with the team over health concerns about Butler

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