Insider trades Grizzlies to lure Jimmy Butler from Heat

ESPN’s NBA Front Office Insider, Bobby Marks, said yes The Memphis Grizzlies should consider trading Jimmy Butler. Tags appeared on Podcast Rien Russillo on Wednesday, where he presented the case from the Grizzlies’ perspective.

“If I’m a team like Memphis and I’m trading someone who’s expiring or Marcus Smart or Brandon Clarke and I’m giving up a first-round pick, just hypothetically, I could take a swing at that,” the former NBA front office member said. “The next 4 months with Jimmy Butler on my team. Because here’s the reality: who will sign him in free agency? That’s the 100 million dollar question. I don’t see anyone lining up to sign him with a cap space.”

Marx, who ESPN recently expanded as a studio analysthe was convinced that Butler’s trade request was financially driven.

“That’s the biggest thing, isn’t it? Like, because this is all financially driven. “I know Jimmy Butler can come out and say, ‘Hey, I’m not being used right, and I’m not part of the offense!'” Marks said. “Well, I watched a game a month ago in Detroit where he had 31, and he was part of the offense. So I think it’s a bit of a cop out here. And I think it’s… I think this is primarily financially driven, here.”

But if Butler’s lack of a contract extension and the turmoil between him and Pat Riley are his main issues with the Heat, a trade to the Grizzlies would only solve the latter. Marks’ proposed move did not include a long-term commitment from the Grizzlies to Butler, which could have made room for additional disruption.

Marks also addressed how he would personally handle any potential problems caused by Butler. And he went so far as to say that he would be suspended. Trading presents its own inherent risks, as does any trade. One of the bigger risks in this scenario is Butler’s aforementioned free agency. Still, there are a few Western Conference teams that should explore a trade for Butlerand Grizzlies are certainly one of them.

Chris Pursiainen is an associate editor for all sports based in the NJ/NIC area. Chris brings several years of experience reporting and writing about professional teams. With nationwide experience as a beat reporter for the New York Knicks, New York Jets, New York Mets, Super Bowl LVIII and the Big East, Chris has been breaking news and covering the NBA, NFL, MLB and college basketball landscapes for years. Chris is a proud graduate of Fordham University.