Los Angeles Clippers listed as Jimmy Butler’s preferred destination

Jimmy Butler has provided his list of preferred destinations for a trade, a list that includes the Los Angeles Clippers.

Oh what a difference a few years can make. After years of being an NBA afterthought, the Los Angeles Clippers appear to have turned around their perception around the league.

Prior to the Chris Paul trade, the Clippers were never a team that was taken seriously. There were countless failed experiments and promising cores that went to waste, yet nothing ever stuck.

However even now that the “Lob City” era is over, it appears as though the sustained success from making the playoffs during that time has changed the way the franchise is viewed.

Earlier in the summer, Kawhi Leonard reportedly preferred the Clippers to the Los Angeles Lakers as a destination. Now Jimmy Butler has included the Clippers as one of his three preferred destinations, along with the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks.

The list of Butler’s preferred teams was first reported by ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski:

He went on to say that the Clippers were Jimmy Butler’s top choice on his list:

It should be noted that there’s no guarantee the list will hold as currently constructed. Last summer Kyrie Irving supplied a list of four teams that did not include the Boston Celtics, only for them to be included later on.

It’s a testament to the work that was done over the years, as well as the influence Jerry West brings to the organization. Now it’s a matter of whether they can convert interest from All-Stars into actual signings and trades.

Already since the news broke, it’s been reported that the Knicks are unlikely to give up any of their young players. The belief is that they shouldn’t give up any young assets for somebody they can sign this summer — something they may have learned from the Carmelo Anthony saga years ago.

More from LA Clippers

• NBA Trades: This wild Mavs, Clippers, and 76ers deal must happen ASAP
• Ranking the 10 championship-less NBA teams by closeness to title
• Can the Clippers realistically sign Chris Paul after shocking waive news?
• NBA Rumors: This playoff team is now the leader to land Westbrook
• NBA Rumors: Westbrook may have played his final game for the Clippers

In terms of promising young players, you could argue that the Clippers have a better war chest than the Nets. Both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jermone Robinson are promising young lottery picks that can be thrown into a potential deal.

It’s unclear what the market will be for Butler, and what the value will be driven up to. It’s possible that Tom Thibodeau will be stubborn and hang on to Butler if the potential returns aren’t at a level he feels comfortable with.

From a Clippers perspective, an ideal Butler trade likely would include one of their contracts that goes beyond this season. Avery Bradley would be an interesting name, as he is the type of player Thibodeau theoretically values. However, he cannot be traded until Jan. 15, due to his newly signed contract.

The interesting name in this discussion is Danilo Gallinari. Due to injuries, Gallinari can’t be considered a cornerstone of a Butler deal. But with Minnesota being in a position where its options to add talent are limited to non-existent, a gamble on a player that scored an efficient 18.2 points per game in 63 games in 2016-17 may be worth a look. Keep in mind, that’s more games than Butler played for the Wolves last season.

If Galinari were to come with one of Gilgeous-Alexander or Robinson, that might be something the Wolves would consider. My guess would be the Clippers likely would fight hard to keep Gilgeous-Alexander, and would hope Robinson is enough of a sweetener.

However, if you have Jimmy Butler ready to commit long-term, can get off Gallinari’s contract this summer, and increase your chances at Kawhi Leonard or Kyrie Irving… you have to wonder what that opportunity is worth to the Clippers.