The Cleveland Cavaliers can trade for Jimmy Butler, and here is how.
Trade rumors are always abundant in the offseason, and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been right in the middle of them. Kevin Love’s name has been the center of trade talks for the previous three seasons. Sometimes, he just doesn’t appear to fit in with the direction of the Cavaliers.
On Sunday, Dave McMenamin from ESPN reported that Paul George informed the Pacers of his intentions to leave in free agency after the coming season, stating that he would like to play for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Paul George would fit in very well with the Cavaliers. George has the ability to score at all three levels and play lockdown defense. He can also create his own shot off of the dribble, a skill lacking in Cleveland outside of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
After the George trade rumors, ESPN’s Marc Stein reported that the Chicago Bulls and the Cavaliers were in trade talks involving Jimmy Butler.
The Cavaliers, per league sources, have been working today on assembling multi-team trade scenarios to try to acquire Chicago's Jimmy Butler
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 19, 2017
The Bulls would be in rebuild mode without Butler, which means that Chicago would be looking for young talent and draft picks in return. Cleveland, being a veteran team, would need a third team to satisfy Chicago’s request.
The Cavs obviously have to rope in at least one more team to provide the assets Chicago would surely demand but, sources say, are trying.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 19, 2017
Jimmy is 27 years old and is coming off of the best season of his career. He averaged 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game in the 2016-17 campaign. His aggressive defensive style would be an incredible asset to the Cavaliers, who were torched in the Finals against Golden State.
As the Cavaliers attempt to put together a blockbuster trade for Butler, here are three potential ways that they will acquire him.