This Jimmy Butler Trade Saga Feels Similar To The Chris Sale Trade Saga..

[RJ87]

I definitely think we'll rekindle talks for Butler AND George around the draft when the BKN pick has more clarity - I think the Bulls in particular will deal Butler because I don't see Wade opting into the 2nd year of his deal.

[Bobshot]

The Red Sox deal would have never been made had Cherington still been around. Cherington had been in charge of the farm system, and was very reluctant to trade prospects he signed or developed. Dombrowski, his replacement who made the Sale deal, had no such ties with prospects, and readily traded them, especially those not needed near term, for stars needed to fill holes. Sale, by the way, had a very favorable contract--salary about half that of FA sign Price.

Ainge thus far has seemed more like Cherington than Dombrowski--reluctant to trade his draft picks or draftees (= prospects).  But he may reconsider this summer during draft time, when he may see FAs as too expensive with the new max salaries in $30M range--relative to Butler's favorable contract at $20M per year. He may be forced to trade rather than to sign a max FA. There is a blog by Smith somewhere here that shows the difficulty Ainge may have freeing enough cap space to sign a maxFA like Hayward. A trade would appear to be an easier route.

[Phantom255x]

The Dombrowski-mentality has definitely been the preferred route here. I prefer to keep the prospects (if they're the level of Smart, Brown, Fultz/Ball/Jackson) and develop them in this environment. It makes more sense in the NBA than the MLB, but never to allow impatience cause an overpay.

If the Cs get a Hayward/Griffin to commit this summer, trading Fultz/Ball/Jackson/? for Butler/George in a Love-Wiggins type deal makes sense. If not, stay the course and enjoy blue chip prospects developing in a winning environment.

Yeah I don't really like how Dombrowski came in and in less than 2 years practically sold the entire farm (okay, exaggeration, but he traded away A LOT). Didn't work for Detroit so hopefully it results in 1 World Series in the next 3-4 years for BOS.

The problem with the PG13/Butler part is if you did sign Hayward or Griffin, you would have to trade away 2017 Nets Pick, Bradley AND Crowder *at least* for either (to make it all work under the cap).

That's great starting lineup, but our depth and bench are compromised, and so is our size. We will have Horford, Zizic, then who?

...no you wouldn't.  As long as you sign the free agent before finalizing the trade (so agree in principle, but don't make the trade until later) and use the pick's contract in the trade (like with the Love/Wiggins trade), you can do it with just Bradley/2017 pick/minor filler (like Jackson).  Obviously it depends on where the pick lands, but even if it's #4 AB+pick 4 salary+Jackson works for Butler

Oh I didn't know that. That would make it a lot easier then.

[Phantom255x]

The Red Sox deal would have never been made had Cherington still been around. Cherington had been in charge of the farm system, and was very reluctant to trade prospects he signed or developed. Dombrowski, his replacement who made the Sale deal, had no such ties with prospects, and readily traded them, especially those not needed near term, for stars needed to fill holes. Sale, by the way, had a very favorable contract--salary about half that of FA sign Price.

Ainge thus far has seemed more like Cherington than Dombrowski--reluctant to trade his draft picks or draftees (= prospects).  But he may reconsider this summer during draft time, when he may see FAs as too expensive with the new max salaries in $30M range--relative to Butler's favorable contract at $20M per year. He may be forced to trade rather than to sign a max FA. There is a blog by Smith somewhere here that shows the difficulty Ainge may have freeing enough cap space to sign a maxFA like Hayward. A trade would appear to be an easier route.

This could definitely happen.

I also think Cherington was the scapegoat for the Red Sox though. I bet Henry and the Front Office told Cherington not to trade any elite level prospects for talent, and when it didn't work out, Cherington took the fall. I mean, if your bosses come in and tell you what to do, you do it, even if it means not making a big trade (which is why Cherington didn't make many big trades).

Knowing Ainge, I think he'll *try* to go after a Butler + Hayward/Griffin duo.

Make that power move, don't give up too much (just 2017 BKN Pick, Bradley, sweetener), and I think that team contends.