Good Riddance Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler has manipulated his way out of Minnesota.

The ever-so-disgruntled All-Star Forward has played his final game as a member of the Minnesota team. Butler will soon join the young Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference.

In exchange for Butler, Minnesota will receive forwards Robert Covington and Dario Saric, along with guard Jerryd Bayless and a 2020 second-round pick.

Butler has been very vocal about his discontentment in Minnesota, as well as his desire for a long-term deal elsewhere. After causing tension within the organization and not even showing up to a game, Minnesota’s team president and coach - Tom Thibodeau pulled the trigger on the trade. Who can blame him?

Of course Butler is the more proven player in the exchange, but which team actually wins here?

Minnesota loses one of its scoring threats, but are now relieved of their only true team distraction. Philadelphia gains in Butler both a veteran and a scoring threat, but how will he gel with Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz?

Butler could very well just be a one year rental for the 76ers and opt to sign a long term deal elsewhere in the offseason.

While the immediate and long term impacts for both teams remain to be seen, things definitely just got a bit more interesting.

Image: Jacopo Cigoli (www.NBAReligion.com)

Story: Ari Christine