Trade #1
LA Clippers receive: G Jimmy Butler
Minnesota Timberwolves receive: F Tobias Harris, G Patrick Beverley
In this trade, the Clippers give up two of their potential starting five in order to bring Butler in. Harris leaving is a tough pill to swallow, especially considering 26-year-old forward is coming off of his best season. He would be able to slot in immediately to the Wolves starting lineup and keep them in the playoff picture.
Losing Beverley, who is also a fan favorite, would be hard, but with the team’s current abundance of guards, it would be understandable. Similarly to Harris, Bev could have a contributing role, albeit likely off the bench. Thibs would love to have his defensive tenacity on the roster.
Harris and Beverley are both expiring contracts, so Minnesota would have to feel confident in their ability to retain them before making this deal. Harris will likely demand a near max contract this summer and will have several suitors.
This deal may not be ideal for the Clippers, but does seem like the most likely and “fair”. However, with the Wolves not having a lot of leverage in their current situation, there may be other deals the team could pull off.