One thing to add to this conversation about going after Butler... It's a mistake to go after a "Lebron stopper" type, and not just because you still have to beat the Warriors the next 2-3 years. It's that, as the ECF that just ended reminded us, that supposed Lebron stopper will just get caught up in a pick-and-roll, and someone else will need to take Lebron on that possession.
It's not about one guy to match up with some other guy. The way to win given the current NBA style is to have competent, versatile players that can do lots of thing well at all positions.
Either that, or get Lebron plus win the lottery three more times in four years. That's a good strategy too.
This is exactly the type of team we are building.
I really think Butler is over rated,not that he isn't an all star level player but that he is not an over the top all star player. I actually think that both PG13 and Hayward are better all around players. There is a lot of Jimmy Butler hype but remember we had the chance to trade for him three times now, the last two trade deadlines and the last draft.
So many people were ready to do that draft day deal, 2016 #3, 2017 #? and 2 of Bradley, Smart, Crowder. Analysts said we should have done it, but Danny held fast. We heard of the offers at this trade deadline that wanted both remaining Brooklyn picks or one Brooklyn and JB plus 2 of Bradley, Smart, Crowder. Again Danny held fast.
You trade a potential top 4 pick before the draft lottery because there is a 75% chance its not number 1, you don't make the trade out of the hope that you get lucky and despite a 25% chance you get the number 1 pick and can draft the player that you already think is going to be you franchise player, the corner stone of the team for the next decade. Last trade deadline I believe that was the hope for Simmons. At the draft Danny valued the combination of JB's potential, + Bradley, Smart, & Crowder over Buttler and one of Bradley, Smart, or Crowder. I believe that Brown is already proving Danny made the right call. I believe at this trade deadline Danny held out hoping for Fultz. I believe that Danny still valued the potential top 4 pick and two of Bradley, Smart, Crowder over Butler as JB wouldn't go top 4 in this draft, but I think if PG13 hadn't talked up the lakers he would have made the move for PG13, as there was a 75% chance of no Fultz. Like Simmons the year before, Fultz is head and shoulders above the rest of the pack.
Now the pick is #1. Sure Danny is playing it coy but Wyc Grousbeck all but assured the pick isn't going to be traded except in the most extreme of god father offers, and the Butler and PG13 offers we already rejected to keep a 25% chance at getting the #1 pick are not going to come close now that its #1. While at the same time we still have to give up additional assets in players in order to make the money work and no teams taking Amirs 12 million and Zeller's 8 million to match salary with a legit max player they are wanting the Bradley + Crowder salaries and even thats not enough to match contracts. We'd need to give up even more of our team.
I believe that we are already all in for the long haul and yeah the team will change but that will come through the draft, FA, and only minor trades.
1. Draft Fultz
2. Release Amir & Zeller but keep one of JJ or KO
3. Go for FA plan A Hayward/ FA plan B Griffin
4. Trade one of Smart, Bradley, IT before the season.
5. Make a trade deadline trade of one of the two remaining of Smart, Bradley, IT
6. Draft one of Michael Porter, Mohamed Bamba, DeAndre Ayton
7. sign the one remaining of Smart, Bradley, IT
8. Use the Clippers and Grizzlies 2019 pics to round out our dynasty team roster.
