Opinion: Could Jimmy Butler Be In Play For The Sacramento Kings?
Is it a possibility that the Sacramento Kings could acquire three-time All-Star Jimmy Butler this offseason?
I know this sounds crazy, but hear me out. The Sacramento Kings potentially have the assets to pull this off which would catapult the team into the Western Conference playoff race.
How Could This Work?
The Kings likely own two first-round draft picks in this year’s NBA Draft as they sit at the eighth and tenth overall (via New Orleans) spots prior to the lottery. If they do keep both picks, the Kings would have to use both of them to entice Chicago. Couple this with a Butler trade being heavily rumored over the past couple of seasons, the potential is there.
With the Kings desperate to be relevant again and the Bulls’ longing for a trade partner, this has the makings of a classic draft day blockbuster. Another possible reason for the Bulls to trade Butler would be the potential to keep him from staying in the Eastern Conference. While it may seem unlikely that Chicago would trade Butler, especially coming fresh off a playoff appearance, the draft opens teams up to trades in order to acquire that next young and cheap superstar to carry them to the finals.
How Would A Potential Trade Look?
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A potential trade would have to include at least New Orleans’ pick and a potential player swap between the Bulls’ and Kings’ first-round selections. NBA rules prohibit a team from trading first round picks in consecutive drafts, and the Kings don’t own their 2018 first-round pick.
However, a trade involving the players that both teams select and having the Kings throw in Kosta Koufos and a young talent like Malachi Richardson or Georgios Papagiannis could work for both sides. A trade of this magnitude would immediately vault the Kings into contention for a low seed in the Western Conference playoffs. In the long run, a core of Butler, Buddy Hield, Willie Cauley-Stein, and Skal Labissiere could make serious noise in the future.
Why This Likely Will Not Happen
The Kings haven’t been rumored or linked to Butler over the last couple of seasons, so it remains to be seen how willing the Kings would be to invest multiple assets in acquiring an established All-Star, even though they might not have a first-round pick next year.
While it’s clear that Sacramento’s front office wants to win, the big question is how badly? The Kings seem more inclined to sit back and let their young players develop rather than going all in for next season, even without incentive to tank.
Final Thoughts
While it’s unlikely that Jimmy Butler comes to Sacramento this summer, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Crazier things have happened in the NBA and both teams have the incentive to pull this off. And, of course, Rudy Gay could throw all this out of the window if he opts into his player option for next season.
Kings fans have long been hoping for their team to show they’re committed to winning, instead of a perennial rebuild. This move would show that not only to the fans but the rest of the NBA.