There seems to be some issues with Butler as a person that I've heard whispers about over the past 2 years. If Neil wouldn't do it, I feel like that might be the reason why. And we wouldn't really understand so we'd try to explain it to ourselves with what only we can see..
Welp it’s official. He wants out. I’d bet anything Portland isn’t on his list though. Moving on I guess.
The three teams, I'm willing to bet the house I don't own, are Lakers, Rockets and Warriors. Maybe the Thunder
I bet it’s something like New York, Miami, and the Lakers. But if he’s as serious about winning as he says he is, Portland should be in his REALISTIC top 3.
If we're not (and we probably aren't), Neil needs to be on the phone to Butler and his agent to convince him to expand that list. Dame needs to be recruiting Butler behind the scenes, too. Even though POR is a young team, we have a proven leader, one of the best in the game, whose unquestioned work ethic has rubbed of on our young guys. I really think Butler would love it here - if he'd just give it a chance. The hard part will be convincing him to give it a chance, that POR would not be a repeat of the problems he's faced in CHI and MIN the last two years. BNM
The worst part about this is we’re a couple days away from hearing about how Portland was in on Butler, but couldn’t get it done because Thibs didn’t want to trade in division, or whatever bullshit Olshey throws at Woj.
The problem is, they'll get lesser offers from teams that view him as a 1-year rental. Maybe Neil's inner used car salesman has the chutzpah to think he can convince Butler to resign even if we aren't on his list. Fuck it, when a talent like Butler is available, you need to go for it and worry about resigning him later. BNM
To a point. If he is not willing to sign here - would you build a trade scenario around CJ, ZC and parts? I am not sure this is a worthwhile risk.
Nope. Maybe Simons and CJ. I’m not sacrificing Zach for a possible rental. I’d be more open to Simons because he’s years away and I like the surplus we have with Trent.
I'd still be willing to offer C.J., even without a verbal commitment that Butler will resign. Worst case, Butler walks and we're off the hook for the last 3 years and $83 million of C.J.'s contract. Not ideal, but we'd still have (hopefully as least one of) Simons or Trent Jr. to groom as our SG of the future if Butler bolts. I truly believe the addition of Butler clearly pushes us ahead of OKC, SAS, UTA, NOP, DEN, and LAL and gets us nipping on the heals of HOU and GSW. BNM
If you are on his list, what is your incentive to give up a lot for him if you think you can sign him as a free agent in a year?
The question honestly shouldn’t be whether Butler wants to come here or not. That’s just a leverage play on his part. As we saw with George, a player can be sold on something. If the culture in Portland is as good as Olshey claims, trust it. The real question should be whether or not Portland can contend with other offers. Who else has the means, and desire, to put together a competitive package? I think that list is probably smaller than some might think. But it only takes one.
