Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 reasons to avoid Jimmy Butler trade

By Ryan Piers | Sep 27, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 23: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves talks to the media after the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Harry How/Getty Images /

Jimmy Butler is putting himself on the market and the Cleveland Cavaliers are joining two-thirds of the NBA in asking about him. But should they?

The Cleveland Cavaliers recently joined 20-plus teams in expressing interest in disgruntled Minnesota Timberwolves star Jimmy Butler. It was the second time in the past half-decade Cleveland took a stab at a soon-to-be free agent from the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

The addition of Butler would likely propel Cleveland to playoff contention. The four-time All-Star was top 20 in win shares in each of the last four seasons, and top six in two of those years. His T-Wolves were 37-22 when he was in the lineup.

It makes sense the Cavs would at least take a stab at the marquee talent, but the extent to which Cleveland should press for Butler is debatable.

The numbers are pretty on paper, but Butler has been a headache for each of the two teams he’s played for. The Athletic‘s Jon Krawczynski reported he didn’t fly home with the team after the Wolves were eliminated from the playoffs last year, and there were multiple instances of sowing discord like this when he was in Chicago.

Plus, there’s that whole luxury tax thing the Cavaliers must consider. Here are three reasons why the Cavs should avoid a Jimmy Butler trade.

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