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SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 08: Kevin Durant # 35 of the Golden State Warriors in action against Jimmy Butler # 23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the match between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of the NBA 2017 Benz Arena on the 8th October 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi / Getty Images)
Just days before the opening of the training camps, Minnesota star Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler, has roughly awakened NBA fans from their summer sleep. After a tete-a-tete with the best Wolf players, Butler gave the troubled franchise a list of three teams he wants to trade – the New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Brooklyn Nets.
Although none of these destinations currently adding Butler should hinder the Warriors' quest for the first treble of the NBA in 15 years, they could very well have some implications for this crucial task, convincing Kevin Durant to stay in the summer next. Both teams are leading the category of best free agents next summer and both occupy a position similar to that of the NBA. With only so many superstars to go around, where Butler could end up cutting options for Durant.
New York Knicks
From the point of view of warriors, the Knicks are probably the most attractive destination. New York came out of the conference and it is unlikely that Butler will lead them to the finals this year, especially with Kristaps Porzingis.
But more importantly, the Knicks are one of the most popular destinations for Durant next summer. In one fell swoop, Durant will become the savior of the Knicks, rebuilding his reputation and saving his legacy from the "ring-chasing" epithet attached to his name by some after his move to Golden State. At least, it's the story. It is unclear how far all this is beyond wishful thinking and the longstanding affinity of his manager, Rich Kleiman, for the franchise.
If Butler finally gets there, that would really upset Durant's movement. If the Knicks could make room for another star, a guard would certainly be at the top of their list. Let's say, perhaps, Kyrie Irving, who would have been the number one target already. An Irving trio, Butler, Porzingis would be a very well balanced core for the Knicks, but what is crucial for fans of Golden State, leaves no room for Durant's inn.
Los Angeles Clippers
It's probably the worst of both worlds for warriors. Butler moves next and does not block any potential landing point for Durant. Indeed, he can even open one if the Clippers become a viable destination and Durant wants to play LA, but without doubling the insults of "fight" by joining LeBron James.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that it is Butler's favorite destination. They will have a second niche during next summer and Kawhi Leonard 's speech has already qualified them for both teams in Los Angeles. Leonard and Butler would form a nice defensive duo. In the meantime, Butler would likely be enough to bring them back into the playoffs, and at the very least give the Warriors four more tough games in their own divisional court.
Brooklyn nets
It's where things get strange. The Nets are the third team on Butler's list although they are far from any kind of conflict. Why would Butler want to play there, other than the size of the market, is a bit of a mystery.
That's the paradox of the NBA. He is supposed to win. But when a player like Durant makes a career choice to put himself in the best possible position to win, after years of trying to bring his own team to the top of the mountain, he is vilified. Yet, if Butler, a star player, hits in the middle of his bonus, he asks to leave a playoff team for one of the worst teams in the league.
Butler moving to Brooklyn will have no impact on Durant's choice next summer, but he highlights the double standard that NBA athletes face, and Durant has been shocked in recent years.
the Los Angeles Lakers
To fully understand this point, a large market team was noticed by its absence from Butler's list, the Los Angeles Lakers. Indeed, the arrival of LeBron James in Los Angeles seems to have put Butler to the test. Of his list, Butler wants to be in a big market, but also wants to be the man himself. Joining another star and sacrificing yourself to create something bigger than oneself seems to be a lower priority at the moment.
Durant knows all too well the cost of this operation. On the one hand, you are facing the wrath of the NBA fans. On the other hand, you have a chance to capture these elusive NBA jewels. For Butler, this does not seem to be a job he is ready to do now. For Durant, no one has yet explained why he would seek to change the story of him by doubling and forming another NBA superteam when he has one of his own.
Durant's future is a little more certain than Butler's. But while Butler will have a new home sooner than expected, speculations about Durant's motives will threaten the Warriors' season as an unpleasant rally of rain. Their task of persuading him to stay could be made easier or more difficult depending on where Butler is.
In the end, the Warriors can offer Durant a better chance to win, more money and familiarity with their teammates and a fan base that embrace him, all in a huge market of their own. This is an offer that most NBA stars would gladly take with both hands.
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SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 08: Kevin Durant # 35 of the Golden State Warriors in action against Jimmy Butler # 23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the match between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of the NBA 2017 Benz Arena on the 8th October 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi / Getty Images)
Just days before the opening of the training camps, Minnesota star Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler, has roughly awakened NBA fans from their summer sleep. After a tete-a-tete with the best Wolf players, Butler gave the troubled franchise a list of three teams he wants to trade – the New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Brooklyn Nets.
Although none of these destinations currently adding Butler should hinder the Warriors' quest for the first treble of the NBA in 15 years, they could very well have some implications for this crucial task, convincing Kevin Durant to stay in the summer next. Both teams are leading the category of best free agents next summer and both occupy a position similar to that of the NBA. With only so many superstars to go around, where Butler could end up cutting options for Durant.
New York Knicks
From the point of view of warriors, the Knicks are probably the most attractive destination. New York came out of the conference and it is unlikely that Butler will lead them to the finals this year, especially with Kristaps Porzingis.
But more importantly, the Knicks are one of the most popular destinations for Durant next summer. In one fell swoop, Durant will become the savior of the Knicks, rebuilding his reputation and saving his legacy from the "ring-chasing" epithet attached to his name by some after his move to Golden State. At least, it's the story. It is unclear how far all this is beyond wishful thinking and the longstanding affinity of his manager, Rich Kleiman, for the franchise.
If Butler finally gets there, that would really upset Durant's movement. If the Knicks could make room for another star, a guard would certainly be at the top of their list. Let's say, perhaps, Kyrie Irving, who would have been the number one target already. An Irving trio, Butler, Porzingis would be a very well balanced core for the Knicks, but what is crucial for fans of Golden State, leaves no room for Durant's inn.
Los Angeles Clippers
It's probably the worst of both worlds for warriors. Butler moves next and does not block any potential landing point for Durant. Indeed, he can even open one if the Clippers become a viable destination and Durant wants to play LA, but without doubling the insults of "fight" by joining LeBron James.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that it is Butler's favorite destination. They will have a second niche during next summer and Kawhi Leonard 's speech has already qualified them for both teams in Los Angeles. Leonard and Butler would form a nice defensive duo. In the meantime, Butler would likely be enough to bring them back into the playoffs, and at the very least give the Warriors four more tough games in their own divisional court.
Brooklyn nets
It's where things get strange. The Nets are the third team on Butler's list although they are far from any kind of conflict. Why would Butler want to play there, other than the size of the market, is a bit of a mystery.
That's the paradox of the NBA. He is supposed to win. But when a player like Durant makes a career choice to put himself in the best possible position to win, after years of trying to bring his own team to the top of the mountain, he is vilified. Yet, if Butler, a star player, hits in the middle of his bonus, he asks to leave a playoff team for one of the worst teams in the league.
Butler moving to Brooklyn will have no impact on Durant's choice next summer, but he highlights the double standard that NBA athletes face, and Durant has been shocked in recent years.
the Los Angeles Lakers
To fully understand this point, a large market team was noticed by its absence from Butler's list, the Los Angeles Lakers. Indeed, the arrival of LeBron James in Los Angeles seems to have put Butler to the test. Of his list, Butler wants to be in a big market, but also wants to be the man himself. Joining another star and sacrificing yourself to create something bigger than oneself seems to be a lower priority at the moment.
Durant knows all too well the cost of this operation. On the one hand, you are facing the wrath of the NBA fans. On the other hand, you have a chance to capture these elusive NBA jewels. For Butler, this does not seem to be a job he is ready to do now. For Durant, no one has yet explained why he would seek to change the story of him by doubling and forming another NBA superteam when he has one of his own.
Durant's future is a little more certain than Butler's. But while Butler will have a new home sooner than expected, speculations about Durant's motives will threaten the Warriors' season as an unpleasant rally of rain. Their task of persuading him to stay could be made easier or more difficult depending on where Butler is.
In the end, the Warriors can offer Durant a better chance to win, more money and familiarity with their teammates and a fan base that embrace him, all in a huge market of their own. This is an offer that most NBA stars would gladly take with both hands.
