OKC Thunder set to benefit from Jimmy Butler drama
OKC Thunder are primed to be beneficiary from Jimmy Butler drama
With training camp just around the corner, the OKC Thunder stand to benefit from the inevitable trade of Minnesota Timberwolves All Star Jimmy Butler. But how is Oklahoma City the primary beneficiary of Butler’s departure out of Minneapolis?
If a loaded Western Conference wasn’t enough, the OKC Thunder were staring down the barrel of a season long battle to win the Northwest division. With the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trailblazers and Utah Jazz in playoff contention, no wins were guaranteed in one of the most stacked divisions in the NBA.
However, this all changed with the recent news surrounding Timberwolves All Star Jimmy Butler.
Minnesota's Jimmy Butler has three preferred destinations for a trade, league sources tell ESPN: The Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks. Those three teams have max cap space to sign Butler as a free agent in July.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 19, 2018
Following the initial news, head coach and head of operations Tom Thibodeau was adamant that Butler remains with the team during training camp. However, Minnesota owner Glen Taylor demanded the All Star be traded as soon as possible.
ESPN story on the latest in the trade circus surrounding Minnesota All-Star Jimmy Butler. https://t.co/uzPYgn4mir
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 23, 2018
Taylor’s urgency to trade Butler is music to the ears of Oklahoma City fans. But how exactly do the Thunder benefit from his inevitable trade to an alternate destination?