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Los Angeles Clippers still have a great shot of signing Jimmy Butler

By Jason Reed

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves runs onto the court during player introductions before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 19, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves runs onto the court during player introductions before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 19, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Jimmy Butler being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers is the NBA’s latest superstar move but does not hurt the Los Angeles Clippers’ chances of signing Butler later.

The impending Jimmy Butler trade finally happened and the Philadelphia 76ers were the winners of the sweepstakes despite not being one of the three preferred destinations for Butler. Among those three, the Los Angeles Clippers stood out as a great fit.

The Clippers have the cap space to sign two max contracts next offseason to load two superstars on an already talented group. Butler, if traded to LA, would have the luxury of signing a bigger contract with the Clippers.

Instead, Butler was traded to the 76ers, who instantly rose their stock in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia has three top-20 players in Butler, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons and will be a tough test for any team in the league, for that matter.

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And while Butler looks ready to enjoy his time on a contending team in Philly, this likely will not be a long-term partnership. Butler is a free agent after the season and while the 76ers could theoretically utilize his Bird Rights and extend him, the chances of that seem slim.

The team eventually is going to have to pay Ben Simmons and is already paying Joel Embiid. With more tradeable assets in Markelle Fultz and an assortment of draft picks, the 76ers can always make another deal if Butler does not pan out.

With that in mind, it seems unlikely that Butler is a 76er for more than a season. That leaves Butler up for grabs in the open market next summer.

And if that is the case, the Los Angeles Clippers have to be the favorites to land the all-star.

While Butler may not be the guy that can lead a title contending team to the promise land, he certainly is a great second superstar option and could be the deciding fact that lures Kawhi Leonard into LA.

Even if it is not Leonard, the prospect of two max spots makes LA very convincing for Butler to get someone like DeMarcus Cousins to form a new super team as well. The Clippers still have work to do to get Leonard or Cousins and Butler is a huge part of that process.

Other potential fits, such as the Brooklyn Nets or New York Knicks, won’t have the same luxury two max deals to bank on. The Nets are not a realistic contending team at all and the Knicks may be wary to pay Butler with Kristaps Porzingis being the franchise piece and no third star.

If someone like Kyrie Irving were to come to New York, sure, I can see the Knicks selling the farm to try and make that big three. Besides that, it is hard to see the Knicks wanting to offer Butler max contract money.

The Los Angeles Lakers are always a possibility as well but with Brandon Ingram, LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma sharing time forward I don’t see the Lakers going after Butler. While Butler can play shooting guard, the team would be better pressed to go after a true two like Klay Thompson.

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At the end of the day, all signs lead to the Los Angeles Clippers to sign Butler and a second superstar next offseason. And when they do, the team will once again be title contenders.

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