Around the League: 2018 Offseason

[Superbone]

Williams was our 5th highest paid player last season.

Stat of the night.

Brought to you by no one. Unsullied by sponsorship for 15 years.

[Split T]

Butler and Minny aren't exactly happy... Would you trade for him? What would you give up?

[ShelC]

I wouldn't trade for him. No interest at all.

[Split T]

Don't think he's good? Think he's just a rental?

I'm a big Butler fan, he plays hard, he defends, and he's really good at just about everything. He's everything I'd hope Jackson becomes. Not sure he'd resign, but a Booker/Butler/Ayton core could be really nice!

[O_Gardino]

Chandler is a defense first player who used to play for the Bulls, so that's probably all we would have to give up to get JB.

[ShelC]

I used to really like him but now I think he's a dick. He's got Kobe's attitude but not Kobe's game or resume. That wears on guys.

[In2ition]

Warren, Jackson, Melton and Milwaukee pick for Butler. Hopefully he stays, but if he leaves it opens up cap space. Hopefully Bridges, Okobo and Shaq are ready. Maybe it's Anderson and Warren for Butler, haha.

[Split T]

I used to really like him but now I think he's a dick. He's got Kobe's attitude but not Kobe's game or resume. That wears on guys.

I like his attitude. It's not his fault his teammates in Minny don't want to work like him. I think he'd get along well with Booker. Hopefully the two together would be the combination that gets Ayton to fulfill his potential.

[Superbone]

I used to really like him but now I think he's a dick. He's got Kobe's attitude but not Kobe's game or resume. That wears on guys.

I like his attitude. It's not his fault his teammates in Minny don't want to work like him. I think he'd get along well with Booker. Hopefully the two together would be the combination that gets Ayton to fulfill his potential.

Don't they play the same position?

[JCSunsfan]

Butler and Minny aren't exactly happy... Would you trade for him? What would you give up?

Its tempting, but if Butler isn't happy in Minny, why would he be happy here?

[Split T]

Butler and Minny aren't exactly happy... Would you trade for him? What would you give up?

Its tempting, but if Butler isn't happy in Minny, why would he be happy here?

Fair point. Something we'd want to look into before making a move. But he's apparently unhappy with his teammates not having the same work ethic or mentality as him. I think Booker has the same mentality. According to Woj, he doesn't care about market, just wants a chance to be in the playoffs with teammates with a similar mentality as him.

[Split T]

I used to really like him but now I think he's a dick. He's got Kobe's attitude but not Kobe's game or resume. That wears on guys.

I like his attitude. It's not his fault his teammates in Minny don't want to work like him. I think he'd get along well with Booker. Hopefully the two together would be the combination that gets Ayton to fulfill his potential.

Don't they play the same position?

In what way? They're both wings who can handle the ball a lot. Defensively, Butler can defend multiple positions, so I don't see any issues.

[Mori Chu]

I like Butler as a player but don't see the fit. How would you play Butler on this team? Would Butler and Booker run as our two guards? Who runs the offense?

[In2ition]

Butler can play the 2 or 3. Book could play the 1 and Butler the 2 or Book the 2 and Butler at 3. Ariza plays the 3 or the 4. While Book is out indefinitely, he plays the 2 and Ariza the 3.

[Shabazz]

I’m not all that interested in parting with a ton of assets for either the right to pay Butler $40M or to have him walk after next season.

[In2ition]

Is it better to keep paying players that don't fit for awhile and/or continuing to wait until they develop and contribute near the same level of Butler? Is Butler not worth his contract?

[Split T]

I like Butler as a player but don't see the fit. How would you play Butler on this team? Would Butler and Booker run as our two guards? Who runs the offense?

You'd just play Butler at the 3 and Booker at the 2. It's not a complicated fit. Butler is 6'8 235 lbs, he could defend the 4 in certain matchups. Throw a low usage 3D style PG next to them and you'd be set.

[O_Gardino]

Is it better to keep paying players that don't fit for awhile and/or continuing to wait until they develop and contribute near the same level of Butler? Is Butler not worth his contract?

I like Butler in the right circumstances, but I don't think he elevates a team the way his contract suggests he should. I think Minnesota would be better off with LaVine and Markkanen, and I think we would eventually feel the same way.

[Split T]

Didn't realize so many people were down on Butler. Take out the top 6 guys in the league(LeBron, AD, KD, Curry, Giannis, Harden) and I think Butler is in the conversation for best player in the league.

[INFORMER]

Warren, Jackson, Melton and Milwaukee pick for Butler.

I'm sorry In2, but that is a terrible deal. Butler does nothing to elevate this team. And whoever gives him his gigantic extension is going to regret it. I have no interest in him.