NBA 2018-19: 5 Most Likely Jimmy Butler Trades

Who believed five months ago, following the Timberwolves' first-round exit and their first playoff appearance in 14 years, that all hell will break loose in Minnesota, just days before the opening of training camp.

It all started with reports in early July, claiming Jimmy Butler is "fed up" with the "nonchalant" attitude of his young teammates, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. It escalated after Butler's request to renegotiate and extend his contract so it will pay him $175 million across the next five years was denied, and he was instead offered about $45 million less. The final nail in the coffin was Jimmy's trade request out of Minnesota, a week before the start of training camp.

Despite Tom Thibodeau's opposition to this move, owner Glen Taylor let the NBA's Board of Governors know Butler is definitely for sale and interest started flowing in.

Butler's top three preferred destinations, Nets, Knicks and Clippers, are all in conversation, and other teams like Miami and Houston emerged, and surprising potential suitors in Cleveland and Sacramento popped up as well.

Safe to say, Jimmy Butler's trade request sent the NBA world into a frenzy. Everybody is talking about it, most teams are exploring the option of acquiring him and his own team regressed into complete chaos.

Here are the top five most likely trade destinations for Jimmy Butler:

---

#5 Philadelphia 76ers

Is Jimmy Butler the piece that completes "The Process"?

The Sixers receive: Jimmy Butler

The Timberwolves receive: Dario Šarić, Robert Covington, Mike Muscala

The Philadelphia 76ers had a quiet summer in comparison to their Eastern Conference rivals. Toronto took a gamble on Kawhi Leonard, but increased their ceiling for the season. Boston didn’t technically acquire another superstar, however, they get to add two All-Star level players, Irving and Hayward, to a team that was one win away from the finals.

This could be Philly's chance to even the playing field.

The Sixers have two generational talents in the point guard and center positions, but they are a little shady on the wing. 2018 draftees, Zhaire Smith and Landry Shamet, have a lot to prove, Reddick is nearing the end of his career and Covington is really a role player. Adding Butler will give Philly a legitimate big 3 and a chance to change the balance of power in the East.

Philadelphia will have about $40 million in cap space next summer and can have another chance to sign a superstar without sacrificing Šarić. However, in order to compete with Toronto and Boston this year, they might have to pull the trigger right now.

#4 Houston Rockets

Can Jimmy Butler thrust Houston past the Warriors?

The Rockets receive: Jimmy Butler

The Timberwolves receive: Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker, 2019 first-round pick

The Houston Rockets came closer to knocking the Golden State Warriors out before the NBA Finals than anyone could imagine. Most of the credit goes to their fantastic backcourt of Harden and Paul and the coaching of Mike D'Antoni. However, despite the fact that D'Antoni's game is known for being more offensive-minded, their success was also thanks to their defense.

For the first time in D'Antoni's coaching career, his team finished top 10 in the league in both defensive rating and opponents' points per game. One of the players responsible for that was Trevor Ariza, who was the team's best wing defender, tasked with guarding the opposing team's best wing player. His departure left Houston without a player who can guard guys like Kevin Durant and LeBron James.

Jimmy Butler will not only cover for his defensive duties, he will also be a great offensive upgrade on Ariza. They can stomach losing their sixth man, Eric Gordon, because they retained the services of Gerald Green, and Tucker is expendable because of his size and limited skill. Nevertheless, the age of the two might be the obstacle for this deal.

#3 Los Angeles Clippers

Getting Jimmy Butler will give the Clippers a huge boost in 2019 free agency

The Clippers receive: Jimmy Butler

The Kings receive: Gorgui Dieng, 2022 first-round pick (from Clippers)

The Timberwolves receive: Tobias Harris, Zach Randolph, Jerome Robinson

The Los Angeles Clippers were mentioned as one of Butler's top three preferred destinations, so it is natural the team will consider trading for him right now, knowing there is a good chance he will re-sign in the summer. They also have a good chance to sign Kawhi Leonard in next year's free agency, and the combination of these two could spell trouble for the other Western Conference teams.

One of Minnesota's targets in a Butler trade is to dump Gorgui Dieng's remaining salary, which stands at over $48 million. Sacramento is reported to have an interest in absorbing his money using their cap space, if they can get a first-round pick in the process. Getting one in 2022 is not ideal, but this is the earliest the Clippers can send a pick in a trade, due to previous trades.

Minnesota will acquire Tobias Harris, who had a breakout season and could accept an extended 4-year/$80M contract later this season. They also get Jerome Robinson, the rookie who scored in bunches for Boston College, and Zach Randolph, who is on an expiring contract and can be a good mentor for Karl-Anthony Towns.

#2 Miami Heat

The Miami Heat reportedly emerge as Butler's heavy favourites

The Heat receive: Jimmy Butler

The Kings receive: Gorgui Dieng, 2019 first-round pick (from Heat, lottery protected)

The Timberwolves receive: Tyler Johnson, Justise Winslow, Zach Randolph

Miami Heat is rumored to be the most aggressive suitor of Jimmy Butler so far, as well as his number one option. The Heat are looking for a star player and their only chance to get one is via trade; they won't have cap space to pursue next summer's free agents, so they need to act now.

For the Kings, this is a better version of the previous trade. The reason they considered getting involved in this trade is to compensate for the loss of their 2019 first-round pick. Unlike the Clippers, Miami can trade a first rounder as soon as next year, and the protection is more of a worst-case scenario safety net; the Heat should make the playoffs even without Butler.

Minnesota will get Tyler Johnson, who is a streaky shooter, and Justise Winslow, who hasn't tapped into his college potential yet. Even though the Wolves could probably do better than these replacements on the wing, if Minnesota is really looking to move Dieng's salary to Sacramento, this deal will work best for the Kings.

#1 Brooklyn Nets

Will Jimmy Butler and Kyrie Irving team up in Barclays Center?

The Nets receive: Jimmy Butler, Gorgui Dieng

The Timberwolves receive: D'Angelo Russell, Allen Crabbe, Jared Dudley, 2019 first-round pick (top-10 protected)

The Brooklyn Nets, like the Clippers, appeared in the original three-team list Butler handed to Tom Thibodeau. His interest in the Nets can be explained by his desire to play in a big market and the possibility his close friend, Kyrie Irving, will join him there in 2019 as a free agent. Reports say Irving wishes to play in the New York area, since he grew up in New Jersey as a Nets fan.

Minnesota can save more than $11 million by exchanging Dieng for Allen Crabbe, who has $37 million guaranteed across the next two years. Brooklyn will take more money in total, but it will actually create more cap space for the Nets the next summer, since Dieng's salary next year is smaller than Crabbe's salary.

The two other players Minnesota will receive in this trade are on expiring contracts, but will also create an opportunity for the Wolves; Dudley is a veteran who shot 39.6% from deep for his career, giving the team more experience and spacing, while Russell can play both guard positions and be the future PG of the franchise.