Washington Wizards: How the Wizards can make a play for Jimmy Butler

The Washington Wizards are one of several teams in play for all-star guard Jimmy Butler. If the Wizards can win the sweepstakes, will he be a good fit in D.C.?

Since the news of Jimmy Butler‘s trade request from the Minnesota Timberwolves, nearly every team in the league has been linked to a rumor to acquire the unhappy star. Every team, including the Washington Wizards.

With the additions of Dwight Howard, Jeff Green, and Austin Rivers, the Wizards are entering the 2019 season with one of their deepest rosters in franchise history. However, with Bulter on the trading block, perhaps the Wizards can finally create the super team John Wall has been longing for.

According to Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report, the T-Wolves are looking for a promising young player, a replacement wing, and a draft pick in exchange for the four-time all-star. With the exception of the Phoenix Suns, the Wizards may be the only team with an offer that is appealing to the eye of the Timberwolves.

In a potential trade for Butler, the Wizards can offer Kelly Oubre Jr, Troy Brown Jr, or Tomas Satoransky as their promising young player. As well as offering 3-and-D sharpshooter, Otto Porter Jr.

Porter will be the most valuable asset Minnesota can get in a trade for Butler, as he can provide the Timberwolves with a replacement wing, and act as a young player they can build around with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.

As for Washington, acquiring the 29-year old star would quickly make the Wizards the best team in the Eastern Conference. As one of the best two-way players in the league, Butler would be an enormous upgrade over both Porter and Oubre.

Pairing Butler alongside Wall and Bradley Beal would give the Wizards an additional ball handler who can create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Outside of Washington’s all-star backcourt, the absence of an extra ball handler played a factor in the Wizards’ disappointment last season.

However, while the acquisition of Butler may look good on paper, his fit within the team’s offense may not be a good move for the District.

For starters, Butler is a ball dominant guard who is at his best when going one-on-one against his opponents. According to NBA.com Advanced Stats, nearly 12.8 percent of Butler’s points came from isolation plays during the 2018 season. Due to the need to have the rock in his possession, the ball would spend less time in Wall’s hands in order for Butler to make an impact on offense.

The next problem the Wizards would face with Butler is floor spacing. While Butler’s ability to hit the three has improved the past two seasons, he has yet to establish himself as a potential threat from the outside.

In a lineup that could feature three streaky three-point shooters (Wall, Butler, and Markieff Morris), perhaps it would not be in the Wizards best interest to acquire the disgruntled star.

However, despite the problems he may cause, Butler and his potential teammates in Washington would find a way to make it work. Similar to the way Chris Paul and the Rockets made it work last season in Houston.

Whether he would be a great fit or not, the chances of the Wizards acquiring Butler are slim to none.

After announcing his trade demand, Butler’s wishlist included the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, and Brooklyn Nets. However, over the past 24 hours, the Miami Heat and Suns have emerged as front-runners to acquire the star.

Last season as a member of the Timberwolves, Butler averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 59 games.