PistonPowered
Fansided

Report: Detroit Pistons are interested in Jimmy Butler

By Brenden Welper

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2017 at 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2017 at 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Jimmy Butler’s days with the Minnesota Timberwolves are numbered. Reports indicate that the Detroit Pistons are one of several teams interested in the 29-year-old forward.

The Detroit Pistons are interested in All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

In the report, Wojnarowski lists seven franchises that have shown interest: Brooklyn, Detroit, Houston, the LA Clippers, Miami, Philadelphia, and Portland. The Minnesota Timberwolves want a deal completed before the team’s first practice this coming Tuesday.

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press was also told by a source on Friday that a trade involving Butler to the Pistons was “worth investigating.”

Butler averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assist per game on 47.4 percent shooting last season. He was named an All-Star for the fourth consecutive year.

But former Chicago Bull is best known for his smothering perimeter defense. A four-time All-Defensive Team selection, Butler clawed his way into the league by shutting down opponents.

In 2014-15, he increased his scoring averaging by 6.9 points per game, and earned the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award that same season. He’s been regarded as one of the better two-way players ever since.

Andrew Brewster recently wrote a piece on whether or not the Detroit Pistons should seek to acquire Butler. He says no, and points to Butler’s preferred destinations (none of which include Detroit) and his health concerns as reasons to steer clear.

And that’s before mentioning that the Pistons don’t have much to offer.

Minnesota just inked Karl-Anthony Towns to a five-year, $190 million super-maximum extension on Saturday night. So you can forget about any package deal involving Andre Drummond.

Luke Kennard would fit nicely on a Timberwolves team that finished 19th in 3-point shooting (35.7 percent) last year. But it would take much more than just Kennard to reel in a player of Butler’s caliber.

Next. Reggie Jackson's health remains a problem. dark

It’s probably a long-shot that Jimmy Butler ends up in the Motor City. But stranger things have happened. Just look at Blake Griffin.

What do you say Pistons fans? Do you like the idea of Detroit pursuing Butler?

Let us know in the comment section below.

Home/Pistons News