No. 3: Jimmy Butler
2017-2018 per game stats: 22.2 PTS, 5.3 REB, 4.9 AST
The Jimmy Butler fiasco might finally be coming to an end, but there’s a very good chance that it could pick right back up where it left off next summer.
Just about every report that’s surfaced as of late has Butler going to the Miami Heat, and it seems like it’s more a matter of “when” and not “if”. Both sides are ready to complete a deal, and Miami will have the space to re-sign Butler once a trade is completed.
But is it so wrong to wonder if he may not re-sign with the Heat once this upcoming season reaches its end? After all, if you would’ve surveyed the league this time last year, surely no one would expect Butler to be forcing his way out of Minnesota at this point.
The Clippers can still make Butler a convincing pitch next summer too, assuming he’s informed on their process of adding another max player to the roster with him. And if things go south in Miami, chances are he’d be swayed back to Los Angeles.
Rumors and speculation aside, Butler is still one of the league’s best two-way wings. A four-time All-Defensive recipient and four-time All-Star, the 29-year-old is as deserving of a max deal as they come. Paired with another player of equal caliber, Butler and the LA Clippers would shine — so long as they can get him there.