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On the Cleveland Cavaliers being the third team in a Jimmy Butler trade

By Nick Dudukovich

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 29: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts in the final seconds of their 105-100 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on January 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 29: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts in the final seconds of their 105-100 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on January 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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On the Cleveland Cavaliers’ trade rumor linking the team to Jimmy Butler and how being a third team involved would be better in the long run.

A recent trade rumor linking the Cleveland Cavaliers to Jimmy Butler seemed too good to be true, right?

Those who follow the Cavaliers closely know that it was a long shot.

Minnesota is facing pressure to win this season, and the Cavs’ don’t have a ton of assets on the roster who help them win right now.

Plus, Butler’s 30. The Cavs wonn’t be winning a championship this season. Butler can be a free agent in two years and will probably be seeking a five-year max extension. Is that the type of investment you’d like to make if you’re Cavs’ owner Dan Gilbert?

It may still be a longshot, but the Cavaliers’ role in the trade of  Butler may as a middle man would make more sense.

The Cavs’ organization is doing a great job of giving off the appearance that they have no interest in tanking, but realistically, the franchise is trying to rebuild while at the same time, winning some basketball games.

Enter the three-team trade.

It may still be a longshot, but perhaps Cleveland can help facilitate a trade while picking up some draft picks in the process.

"“They are going to be back on the hunt for draft picks like they were a little bit in 2010, where they were willing to sell off some of their players to get a draft pick,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on TheLandonDemand.com."

Windhorst said he doesn’t know how the Cavs’ role in this type of situation would work, but added that he doesn’t know all of the options Minnesota is looking at.

The Cavs do have tradeable pieces, and it wouldn’t be surprised to see them move Kyle Korver, George Hill, J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson at some point this season with the idea of adding draft picks.

The Cavs are also in a weird spot of trying to win, and protecting their top 10 pick. You’re right, this makes no sense. You either win or make the playoffs, or you stink and get yourself a top 10 pick.

With this in mind, Cleveland’s powers-that-be probably want to get a sense of what they have on the roster for a few months before they really start in on the heavy lifting of reshaping the roster.

For as good a player Butler is right now, he doesn’t make the Cavs’ a championship contender and all his presence would do is impede the future of the organization.

Cavs' Mount Rushmore for 2018-2019 season. dark. Next

The Cavs as a middle man? Sure. But Butler in a Cavaliers uniform? Well, it was a fun few hours to think about it.

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