Where will Jimmy Butler end up? 2025 edition

[Mainstreet]

See... I disagree. IMO, he is compounding previous mistakes. The Durant deal was a monumental disaster but he can't admit that and move on, instead he is digging the hole deeper.

We have always agreed the Durant trade was a disaster.

However, instead of embracing the “I can't”, Ishbia seems to embrace the philosophy of "yes we can" and moves forward.

I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't start raiding Europe for talent or turns the G-League into a talent minefield of sorts.

There is a lot of untapped NBA talent out there.

 

[95pro]

See... I disagree. IMO, he is compounding previous mistakes. The Durant deal was a monumental disaster but he can't admit that and move on, instead he is digging the hole deeper.

It’s like a gambler who just keeps playing the next hand hoping to hit.

 

[Mainstreet]

It’s like a gambler who just keeps playing the next hand hoping to hit.

Or an entrepreneur who sees nothing but opportunities. A mistake is a part of doing business.

 

[Raindog]

See... I disagree. IMO, he is compounding previous mistakes. The Durant deal was a monumental disaster but he can't admit that and move on, instead he is digging the hole deeper.

That's the interesting thing about how Ishbia seems to be operating here. Either he realizes that he has currently painted himself and the Suns into a corner and needs to do something (anything) to get out of it... or it's just as equally likely he's now resorting to painting the floor under his own feet.

I guess we'll see when we see?

 

[Yuma]

That's the interesting thing about how Ishbia seems to be operating here. Either he realizes the he has currently painted himself and the Suns into a corner and needs to do something (anything) to get out of it... or it's just as equally likely he's now resorting to painting the floor under his own feet.

I guess we'll see when we see?

He has ingenuity. I will give him that.

 

[Dr. Jones]

It’s like a gambler who just keeps playing the next hand hoping to hit.

I'm constantly reminded of the Sopranos character that owned the camping store but had a gambling problem.

He just keeps doubling down until Tony owns everything. Life, wife, career..... All gone. Like our hopes for the next 5 to 7 years at a minimum.

 

[95pro]

I'm constantly reminded of the Sopranos character that owned the camping store but had a gambling problem.

He just keeps doubling down until Tony owns everything. Life, wife, career..... All gone. Like our hopes for the next 5 to 7 years at a minimum.

The thing is he(ish) can sell if he wants later on down in the near future and bail on this project. That’s what I fear.

 

[Dr. Jones]

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[elindholm]

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The poker reference is pretty funny, since I said right after the Durant trade that I'd want Ishbia at my poker table. (Bubbled in my last tournament, grrr....)

 

[Phrazbit]

I'm not even convinced that Butler is an upgrade over Beal.

 

[95pro]

I'm not even convinced that Butler is an upgrade over Beal.

Bright side, butler is a winner while Beal is used to losing and doesn’t mind it, imo.

Butler hasn’t won it all but seems to want it. Beal I’m not so sure as he’s never proven otherwise.

 

[Yuma]

I'm not even convinced that Butler is an upgrade over Beal.

When motivated, maybe. His stat line is good, even this season. I have to see it. If there's mojo there that better than what Beal had with KD and Book, then maybe it's worth it.

 

[Phrazbit]

When motivated, maybe. His stat line is good, even this season. I have to see it. If there's mojo there that better than what Beal had with KD and Book, then maybe it's worth it.

He doesn't shoot much from the outside, he is another slow, mid range scorer, who dribbles a lot, which is the absolute last thing we need more of.

Defensively he is an upgrade.

 

[Phrazbit]

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Baby steps.

 

[elindholm]

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Baby steps.

Damn, did she really call Paul as a placeholder for Beal, back in 2020? That's impressive.

 

[GatorAZ]

I just don’t get the Beal/Bucks connection if they’re trying to win.

 

[elindholm]

I just don’t get the Beal/Bucks connection if they’re trying to win.

I just informed a casual Bucks fan I know about this and his reaction was, "Good lord, no! God we suck."

 

[Phrazbit]

I just don’t get the Beal/Bucks connection if they’re trying to win.

I don't get that one either. The Bucks have done some really stupid moves the last few years, so it's on brand.

Suns and Bucks, hand in hand, obliterating the teams that got them to the finals for basically zero return.

 

[Mainstreet]

What's intriguing is if the Suns can now use a draft pick to trade Nurkic for a center capable of starting.

I'm not taking anything away from Richards because the Suns have needed a starting center and a backup for a while.

Butler and a 4/5 make the Suns much stronger upfront and IMO, removes the soft label.

 

[Yuma]

What's intriguing is if the Suns can now use a draft pick to trade Nurkic for a center capable of starting.

I'm not taking anything away from Richards because the Suns have needed a starting center and a backup for a while.

Butler and a 4/5 make the Suns much stronger upfront and IMO, removes the soft label.

Dunn has only played 209 minutes with KD and Beal, and that trio has a +10.8 net rating. That's with a rookie. You would think Butler would be better than a rookie. That's kind of one way to look at it.

 

[95pro]

So does Jones go to the bench and we keep starting Dunn, and we ride and die with point Book?

 

[Yuma]

So does Jones go to the bench and we keep starting Dunn, and we ride and die with point Book?

You mean if we get Butler? Obviously Dunn gets replaced by Butler. Tyus probably stays in the starting spot.

 

[Hoop Head]

I just don’t get the Beal/Bucks connection if they’re trying to win.

Doc Rivers is a co-GM or something like that in Milwaukee. I don't recall his title exactly but he was an outside consultant who helped hire and fire Adrian Griffin last year. So logic doesn't always prevail there.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I'm constantly reminded of the Sopranos character that owned the camping store but had a gambling problem.

He just keeps doubling down until Tony owns everything. Life, wife, career..... All gone. Like our hopes for the next 5 to 7 years at a minimum.

Yeah that was the T2 actor, Robert Patrick I believe. I haven't watched the show since it first aired but doesn't he also lose a vehicle that Tony then gives to his daughter or was that another idiot? Regardless, at some point Ishbia will butt up against the cap rules and finally lose the ability to make stupid move after stupid move. Although, if this trade was just the first step in trading away everyone for a full rebuild, I'll have to apologize to the guy for slamming his decision making.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yeah that was the T2 actor, Robert Patrick I believe. I haven't watched the show since it first aired but doesn't he also lose a vehicle that Tony then gives to his daughter or was that another idiot? Regardless, at some point Ishbia will butt up against the cap rules and finally lose the ability to make stupid move after stupid move. Although, if this trade was just the first step in trading away everyone for a full rebuild, I'll have to apologize to the guy for slamming his decision making.

Looking at the Suns draft picks a decade before drafting Devin Booker and thereafter doesn't inspire confidence.

Yeah, I remember the quote: “Devin is great, but there are 50 skeletons tied to that swing for the star.” - James Jones

I still disagree with it, at least while James Jones is running the team.

However, the Suns would need to switch to rebuild/draft mode, but I don't think Mat Ishbia is ready for that while he perceives there is a window.

There is no guarantee a rebuild would be successful either, especially when so many teams having a head start. And they already own the Suns draft picks and swaps.