Trade #2
LA Clippers receive: G Jimmy Butler
Minnesota Timberwolves receive: F Danilo Gallinari, G Sindarius Thornwell, 2021 First Round Pick
In my opinion, this trade is the most ideal, even if it does mean giving up a first round pick. The 2021 pick hurts to give up, especially considering that high schoolers may be eligible to enter the NBA Draft that summer. Still, if the Clippers have both Butler and another star, it’s likely it wouldn’t be a high value pick. This pick is the earliest one that can be traded due to the Stepien Rule.
The big win here for the Clippers would be moving Danilo Gallinari. Although a skilled player, Gallo has not been able to stay health and has a large deal which is seemingly the only error thus far in the Jerry West era.
Throwing Sindarius Thornwell into the deal just sweetens the pot for Minnesota as they get a young defensive minded guard who Thibs can run into the ground. It also helps clear out some of the team’s guard logjam while not moving a key rotational piece.