Just as Memphis Grizzlies fans started actually thinking Jimmy Butler may wind up as part of their team’s championship push, Senior NBA Insider Chris Haynes crushed their collective dreams. No, Memphis. Jimmy Butler - superstar Jimmy Butler - will not be joining the Grizzlies.
Another superstar shunning the small market of Memphis. Say it ain’t so! If only there was a beach nearby...CURSE YOU GEOGRAPHY!
Outside of being uncontrollably land-locked, the Memphis Grizzlies may very well have dodged the proverbial bullet. Of course this sounds like the scorned lover hating on the pretty girl or handsome boy that didn’t “like them like that”. Make no mistake, Jimmy Butler would have made the Grizzlies better. He would have made a title parade down the streets of Memphis at the end of this season more likely.
But, as always, the question becomes about cost. Would the juice have been worth the proverbial squeeze?
We will never know. And perhaps that is for the best. Jimmy Butler almost certainly wants to go to Phoenix and to get paid a max contract. If he doesn’t want to be in Memphis, best to find out now.
Before the Grizzlies cash a lot of their capital and make a move they come to regret.
What comes next? A fair question. Memphis has many different directions they can take. If the trade market is something they’re interested in, they could most certainly keep swimming in those waters. Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets, for example, is an elite three point shooter who is under contract this season and the next two that follow.
Or, if star hunting is still your cup of tea thanks to the Butler flirtation, how about Brandon Ingram down in New Orleans? He’s also searching for a pay day, but on an expiring deal with no options he has less leverage than Butler. Would New Orleans do a similar package to Miami (without Brandon Clarke - hooray!) for Ingram the rental?
He can score in bunches and allows for rookie Jaylen Wells to have a better chance at impacting winning in the playoffs off the bench.
Or, here’s a crazy idea - perhaps we all need to take a breath and wait! GG Jackson is returning from injury soon and has put on TWENTY POUNDS OF MUSCLE. 20-years-old, 6'9", 235 pounds, a returning All-Rookie player...could the Memphis Grizzlies possibly have a future Jimmy Butler at home already?
Time will tell. But the lesson learned here is that while it is fun to play ArmChair GM (spoken from experience), sometimes watering the grass where your standing and making it greener is the best path. It’s not like Memphis isn’t looking for upgrades - the Dorian Finney-Smith pursuit was very real.
But as has been said here, there, and everywhere - the Memphis Grizzlies run their own race. They will not deviate from their plans. They will not overpay for anyone.
Not even an All-NBA talent like Jimmy Butler.
Don’t worry Jimmy. Get paid. Do you. The Memphis Grizzlies have already moved on.
Their fans? It may take a day or two. Or at least another GG Jackson training video.
