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New York Knicks: A trade to bring Jimmy Butler to NY

By Orestis Rantis

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 17: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on November 17, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 17: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on November 17, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /

New York’s side of the story

Entering the 2019 free agency period, the New York Knicks could have a legitimate chance at being one of the top free agent destinations. They basically have it all: a young All-Star, a good young core, financial flexibility, and finally, that big city vibe.

With quite possibly the exact same assets that attracted LeBron James to the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Knicks could have a legitimate chance at signing a top-tier superstar. Players like Kevin Durant, Kemba Walker and Klay Thompson could all try to switch teams in the summer, with New York being a realistic landing spot.

To top it all off, Jimmy Butler wouldn’t actually cost that much for the Knicks. Butler is in a contract year and players tend to have a lower trade value while approaching free agency. As a result, the Knicks wouldn’t even have to sacrifice Porzingis or Kevin Knox to snag him out of Philly.

Butler would serve as a great mentor to all the young guys that the Knicks possess by offering his leadership mentality. Players like Knox, Allonzo Trier and Emmanuel Mudiay are playing just fine, as of now. But add a strict locker room presence that is Butler, and you have some really motivated young assets.

Take a look at what the Sixers gave for Jimmy Butler about two months ago: Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless and a second round pick. Even though Saric and Covington are both solid players, they are nowhere near Butler’s level of superstardom.

Now, even closer to free agency, his value is going to be even lower. And since he seems to be unsettled in Philadelphia, the Knicks should take advantage and capitalize on that before some other team does.

By adding Jimmy Butler to that mix, the Knicks would basically be ready to compete. Free agents are going to view the Knicks as a paradise type of location, but maybe Butler is what it takes to bring that level of intensity back to the Madison Square Garden.

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