A 4-team mega-trade involving the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler
By Simon Smith
Breaking down the deal
Consisting of nine players over four teams, here’s how the deal breaks down:
Miami Heat
While the return is enormous, there’s naturally an associated risk. In sacrificing Richardson, Adebayo and Justise Winslow, the Heat are parting with ways with their three most promising and intriguing young players. With Richardson the oldest of the trio at just 24, the Heat are certainly sacrificing a good portion of their future for the chance to land an elite talents such as Butler.
One underrated factor in potentially luring Butler to South Beach is his very close relationship with “Heat lifer” Dwyane Wade. Teammates for a season in Chicago, Wade’s reunion with the franchise, and the real possibility of playing into his 16th season, makes for an intriguing possibility for Butler. As Wes Goldberg of the Locked On Heat podcast tweeted recently:
Miami would be basketball nirvana for Jimmy Butler.
— Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg) July 3, 2018
New starting lineup:
- G – Goran Dragic
- G – Dion Waiters
- F – Jimmy Butler
- F – James Johnson
- C – Hassan Whiteside
Minnesota Timberwolves
Like Butler, DeRozan will turn 29 prior to the start of the season, and is essentially in the prime of his career. Thanks to his greatly improved ball-handling and playmaking skills, DeRozan would make for an outstanding replacement for Butler. The only pressing issue is his salary, with the nine-year veteran owed $83.2 million over the next three seasons — a hefty bill considering Andrew Wiggins’ extension and the impending extension of KAT.
In addition to DeRozan, the T-Wolves will also receive veteran swingman C.J. Miles. One of the better long-range shooters in the league, Miles averaged 10.0 points per game last season while shooting at a 36.1 percent clip from long distance.
New starting lineup:
- G – Jeff Teague
- G – DeMar DeRozan
- F – Andrew Wiggins
- F – Gorgui Dieng
- C – Karl-Anthony Towns
Toronto Raptors
While giving up DeRozan in his prime is a tough pick to swallow, this deal represents an invigoration of the roster. In McCollum, the Raptors get a direct replacement for DeRozan in the backcourt, and could easily make his All-Star debut in the weakened Eastern Conference.
Furthermore, the Raptors receive versatile forward Justise Winslow and second-year center Zach Collins. Last season, Winslow demonstrated an increased affinity for ball-handling and playmaking, which adds an extra element to his already-excellent perimeter defense. With the ability to play multiple positions, the 22-year-old would make for a terrific addition to the Raptors’ second unit.
In Collins, the Raptors receive an additional center, taking into consideration the struggles of incumbent backup Jakob Poeltl in the last season’s playoffs.
New starting lineup:
- G – Kyle Lowry
- G – C.J. McCollum
- F – OG Anunoby
- F – Serge Ibaka
- C – Jonas Valanciunas
Portland Trail Blazers
Like the Raptors, this move gives the Blazers a fresh feel moving forward, while also stocking up in certain areas of need. While not the pure scorer that McCollum is, Richardson’s defensive prowess and ability to play off the ball would make for an excellent fit alongside Lillard in the Blazers’ backcourt.
In bringing aboard Adebayo, the Blazers would have the flexibility of letting Nurkic depart free agency, knowing they have their center of the future locked up. Although still very raw, Adebayo’s elite athleticism gives the Blazers a true point of difference from previous seasons, and should fit in well alongside the various wings and perimeter players on the roster. For salary cap purposes, the Blazers also bring aboard veteran forward Taj Gibson, whose $14 million contract expires at the end of the 2018-19 season.
New starting lineup:
- G – Damian Lillard
- G – Josh Richardson
- F – Maurice Harkless
- F – Al-Farouq Aminu
- C – Bam Adebayo
This deal consists of three teams who got bounced in there first round of the postseason, with the other one, the Raptors, losing unceremoniously in a 4-0 trouncing in the second round. Therefore, each team has nothing to lose, while at the same revitalizing their current rosters with a new injection of talent.
Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
For the Heat, Butler represents a player who can be a true centerpiece of a contending team. While the loss of the aforementioned trio is not easy, the ability to land one of the elite two-way players in the league is simply a no-brainer.