NBA Twitter’s Jimmy Butler trade ideas, ranked by shockability

A Jimmy Butler trade from the Timberwolves is inevitable since the All-Star’s request, but no deal isn’t imminent just yet. Reports from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski have the Rockets, Heat, Clippers, Cavaliers, Nets, Wizards and Mavericks in the mix, but in week two of negotiations, nothing’s concrete.

Woj has reported that the Wolves asking price is high, as they want “quality veterans, top prospects, future assets and salary-cap relief,” which is a significant ask for a player whose contract is set to expire once the year ends. Butler could just be a rental.

However the Butler trade shakes out, it’s sure to surprise. This is the same NBA that saw Kawhi Leonard become a Raptor, LeBron James choose the Lakers and Kyrie Irving force a move to the Celtics.

With the wait time, we can only speculate what might go down. So we asked NBA fans on Twitter for believable Jimmy Butler trades that would shock them. Here they are ranked by shock factor:

Shock: 10/10

The trade: Klay Thompson for Jimmy Butler

If this happens: Chaos. Total chaos. The Warriors fit perfectly, and shocking the dynamic in a potential three-peat year would be ludicrous.

Shock: Also 10/10 because LOL

Trade: Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and Justin Patton for Jimmy Butler

If this happens: Hahahahahahahahaahhahaahhahaahhahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahah

Shock: 8/10

The trade: Blake Griffin to the Wolves, Jimmy Butler to the Knicks, Enes Kanter, Taj Gibson and Tyson Chandler to the Pistons, Reggie Jackson to the Suns

If this happens: It won’t, but oh my, we’d erupt. All of us.

Shock: 8/10

The trade: Thaddeus Young, Domantas Sabonis and T.J. Leaf for Jimmy Butler

If this happens: Victor Oladipo and Butler could make one of the league’s best backcourts, and a top-3 seed would be possible for the Pacers. The Pacers!

Shock: 8/10

The trade: Kyle Lowry for Jimmy Butler

If this happens: The Raptors would have turned Lowry and DeMar DeRozan into Kawhi Leonard and Butler. Sheesh! Would fans in Toronto ever forgive Masai Ujiri?

Shock: 7/10

The trade: C.J. McCollum for Jimmy Butler

If this happens: If Butler assures the team he’ll sign long-term, a Damian Lillard-Butler backcourt could wreak havoc in the west for years to come. Portland gets better, and Minnesota retains a star in return. A win-win, though highly unlikely.

Shock: 6/10

Trade: Robert Covington, Jerryd Bayless, Zhaire Smith, and a 2020 first-round pick for Jimmy Butler

If this happens: The Sixers jump to Eastern Conference favorites and the Wolves remain relevant while rebuilding. Process + Jimmy would be a dynamic one-two punch and must-watch TV every single night.

Shock: 6/10

The trade: Harrison Barnes, Wesley Matthews and a first-round pick for Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson

If this happens: The Mavericks gain DeAndre Jordan and Butler in the same offseason and launch into playoff contention. One final go of it for Dirk Nowitzki!

Shock: 5/10

The trade: Khris Middleton, Thon Maker and D.J. Wilson for Jimmy Butler

If this happens: Playoff Giannis Antetokounmpo gets a co-star! Hell yeah!

Shock: 4/10

The trade: Eric Gordon, Iman Shumpert, Justin Jackson and Zhou Qi to the wolves, Gorgui Dieng, picks to the Kings, Jimmy Butler to the Rockets

If this happens: The Rockets become legit contenders, the Wolves stay fine and the Kings get more picks to screw up. This may not be the exact trade that happens, but something of the sort seems possible. Houston and the Heat have been heating up in Woj’s rumor talk.

Have more trade ideas? Comment below.