LA Clippers among odds leaders to land Jimmy Butler this summer

According to Bleacher Report and Caesars, the LA Clippers are among betting favorites to land Philadelphia swingman Jimmy Butler this summer.

The LA Clippers are among betting favorites to land Philadelphia 76ers swingman Jimmy Butler this summer, according to odds from Caesars. Only the 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets have better odds to acquire Butler than the Clippers, and the Houston Rockets have the same odds as LA.

Behind the Clippers and Rockets are the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls, which round out the top six teams that could sign the four-time All-Star come July.

The Sixers are the heavy favorites, 750 points better than the Nets and 950 better than the Rockets and Clippers. Therefore, it’s easy to see that the expectation is that he re-signs with Philly. The Sixers can also offer him the most money, so that all checks out too.

However, the Clippers would probably be a lot higher on the list if the expectation wasn’t that they’ll sign Kawhi Leonard this summer. But sense they’re expected to have the space to sign up to two max-level players, it makes sense why they’re here, and probably will be in the same position when betting odds come out on other free agents like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Butler was a very solid option for the Sixers this year, even though he had a shortened season. In 55 games, he averaged 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists across roughly 33 minutes per game. His percentage from deep was a tad lower than what we’ve seen throughout his career, but his usual efforts on the defensive side of the floor more than make up for the points lost from missed threes.

In the playoffs, though, Butler took his game one step further. The swingman averaged 22.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists in nearly 38 minutes per game, and nearly recorded a triple-double in Philadelphia’s 21-point victory over the Toronto Raptors in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semis.

More than anything, though, Butler showed off his tenacity, ability and willingness to win in the playoffs — all things that were prevalent during the Clippers’ historical season. Based on that alone, it already seems like he’d be a good fit with this team, especially if they miss out on other top-tier free agents.

The Clippers could, of course, add Butler and bring back the bulk of last season’s group and try to run it back. They might still have to trade Danilo Gallinari in that scenario if players like Patrick Beverley and JaMychal Green demand more money than is expected, but with the right assets, the Clippers should be right back in the thick of things as soon as the beginning of next season.

What do you think, Clipper Nation? Would you like to see the LA Clippers make a run at Butler this summer? Or would you prefer they stick to the guys above him, like Leonard and Durant?