Butler’s Value in a Crowded Market
Despite his talent, Jimmy Butler may not be offered a long term max contract. Butler will be 30 years old during the first year of his new deal and playing under Tom Thibodeau does not help preserve your body long-term.
Whether or not it is fair, Butler has also earned a reputation as a negative in the locker room. He clashed with the young players in Chicago and Minnesota and reportedly confronted Brett Brown earlier this season.
With the Clippers, Lakers, and Knicks focused on stars such as Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Kyrie Irving, Butler will likely have to wait for other stars to sign before his market truly opens up. There is also a scenario where those teams each land a star, the Nets re-sign D’Angelo Russell and decide Butler does not fit their timeline, and the Sixers become hesitant to give Butler a long term contract. Butler could easily become the DeMarcus Cousins of this free agent class.
The Blazers could become the frontrunner in the Butler sweepstakes by simply prioritizing him and offering him a max contract.