NBA Trades: 6 teams that could lure Jimmy Butler away from the Heat next summer
By Cal Durrett
L. A. Clippers
Following a baffling offseason in which the Clippers opted to let's All Star Paul George leave in free agency ahead of the opening of their brand new arena, they could be more aggressive next summer. While they likely won't have any cap space, they do have players such as Norm Powell and Derek Jones Jr. who they can use in a sign and trade.
Pairing Butler with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden would have been a lot better 5 years ago but with the Clippers a fringe playoff team at best, he might be a realistic option next summer for them. A complicating factor would be the need for the Heat to help them acquire Butler.
If Miami is resigned to letting him leave rather than paying him a significant salary in his mid-30s, then they probably would be hesitant to take back large contracts in return for him in a sign and trade.
The Clippers are also light on picks but have proven resourceful in the past in making big moves with limited assets. Adding Butler wouldn't make them a title contender necessarily, but with them unable to completely tear their roster down, he'd be a logical next move for them.