Jimmy Butler has finally been traded and it will have significant impact on the Memphis Grizzlies’ next appointed game.
After weeks and weeks of deliberation and numerous dramatic headlines, the Minnesota Timberwolves have pulled the trigger on a trade that sends Jimmy Butler to the Memphis Grizzlies‘ upcoming opponent.
By early-afternoon on Saturday, news broke that the Timberwolves have decided on a deal to rid themselves of Butler. Though they declined a recent trade offer of four first round Draft picks in exchange of the four-time offer, they have accepted a couple of solid role players plus a future pick.
Sources: Philadelphia's Jerryd Bayless has also been traded to Minnesota as part of Jimmy Butler deal. Covington/Saric/Bayless/2022 2nd for Butler and Patton. https://t.co/qSvFzjG5BU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 10, 2018
The Philadelphia 76ers, though already weak in the depth department, are receiving the last component to their “Big Three.” The Sixers are now a bigger threat in the Eastern Conference by adding Jimmy Butler to their young, star-studded duo of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
Though Philly’s championship dreams are certainly soaring at this point, they will have to wait a couple days for the official arrival of their new shiny piece to their puzzle, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Sources on @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium: Minnesota and Philadelphia have trade call with the NBA on Monday to complete the Jimmy Butler trade.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 10, 2018
This tremendously assists the Memphis Grizzlies’ chances of victory in their next scheduled game. The basketball gods do not shed much positivity to the small-market Grizzlies very often, but whether directly or indirectly, it happened on Saturday.
Memphis is set to face Philadelphia at 7:00 PM Central Time today, which will be the second game of a back-to-back situation for the Sixers.
While Memphis has had Thursday and Friday off, Philly played last night in an overtime battle versus the Charlotte Hornets. The 76ers secured the win by a final score of 133-132, but it sets up a scheduled loss for Philly, especially considering the Grizzlies have been resting for the past two days.
On the Sixers’ side of things, they will be without Robert Covington and Dario Saric versus Memphis being as they are outgoing to Minnesota. These two guys played 30 and 40 minutes, respectively, in the overtime affair.
With Butler not making his 76ers debut until sometime next week, Philadelphia’s already short depth chart will take a major hit while matching up against the Memphis Grizzlies.
In looking deeper at the Sixers/Hornets contest, Joel Embiid played 39 minutes while producing a 42-point, 18-rebound stat line. Ben Simmons received 41 minutes in a near-triple-double performance. Sharpshooter J.J. Redick logged more than 36 minutes.
Basically, the Philadelphia 76ers are going to be warped when they take the court against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday evening, and that is quite alright.
It would be nice to see how this Grizzly squad compares to one of the top rosters in the East, but each and every game has significant value for Memphis if they truly want to reach the postseason for the eighth time in nine seasons.
Continuing their home stand, the Memphis Grizzlies look to remain undefeated inside the Grindhouse. They must take full advantage of a tired Sixers squad because these opportunities do not come around very often. Now is the time to capitalize.