NBA: Winners and losers from the Jimmy Butler trade

Loser: Minnesota

Golden State Warriors v Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves are the biggest losers here, as they effectively received 30 cents on the dollar for this trade. Butler's public exit would always make it difficult for the team to find an appropriate offer, but to lose an All-NBA and All-Defensive player and only receive back role players and no first-round draft picks is a disaster.

Covington is a nice three-and-D player, and Saric's ceiling could be (but probably won't be) an all-star, but neither player comes close to replacing the void left by Butler.

The loss of Butler will sting Minnesota for a long time, not just because they have lost a superstar, but because they know they would have been better having never traded for him. It wasn't a bad decision for the Wolves to trade for Butler at the time, they just weren't able to make it work, and that has set them back a long way in a relentless Western Conference.

Now they have to move on from the short but eventful Jimmy Butler era. The Wolves will go back to playing through Towns and partly Wiggins as they re-shift their focus to building around their two young stars.

While Saric and Covington won't directly fill Butler's empty locker, they will fit nicely with the Wolves. Minnesota rank 27th in the league in field goal percentage and 15th in three-point field goal percentage, they will benefit greatly from the acquisitions of two accurate shooters with deep range.

Covington is connecting on 39% of his three-point attempts this year; Saric has only shot at a 30% clip from three this season, but he made 39.3% of his three-point attempts last season and shot 50.1% from inside the arc. Both Covington and Saric have been streaky when shooting the ball this year, but a change of scenery and play style might just suit them.

Melbourne United v Philadelphia 76ers

The pair won't just aide the Wolves' shooting problems, they each have multiple dimensions to their game. Covington was selected to the all-defensive first team last season; he is a perimeter nightmare who can guard point guards, stretch forwards, and everything in between. He is a perfect fit in the modern NBA and he is a match-winner when his shot is falling. His work on the defensive end will allow the Wolves to switch freely against screens and chase opponents off the three-point line.

Saric won't help much on the defensive end, but he is a fine all-around offensive player. He can hit open shots, creates his own shot inside the three-point arc, and makes smart passes often. His ability to score inside and outside will be important for the Wolves who will be able to play him next to another inside and outside threat in Karl-Anthony Towns - the floor spacing has the potential to be magnificent for this squad.

It's not a great prize to show for trading a player who has been an all-star in each of his last four seasons, but maybe the former 76ers players can redeem the Wolves' front office.