Why the Suns should think twice about adding Jimmy Butler

Let’s look at the history of Mr. Jimmy Butler, shall we?

It is NBA trade season! Social media is filled with complex trades. It is fun to dream of landing the perfect player to get your team to the next level, whatever that is. In Sun Land, it is no different. We concoct various trade scenarios, generally favoring the Suns, to trade Jusuf Nurkic or Bradley Beal, or even Kevin Durant with the goal of making this team contenders or in the case of a KD trade, blowing it up.

However, most of the trade chatter surrounding the Suns is centered around Jimmy Butler. Take this one, for example.

Today I want to honestly assess what bringing Butler to the Suns team on and off the court means.

Let me preface by saying I am a Jimmy Butler fan. I like his game, his toughness, and I especially love playoff Jimmy. But does he bring enough to cure what the Suns are currently lacking? That answer is definitely not, There is also baggage, lots of baggage. Is it worth it?

The Suns need more firepower from beyond the arc. Currently sitting 12th in the league with 36.8 three-point attempts per game, there’s room for improvement. Enter Jimmy Butler, a player whose three-point numbers don’t exactly inspire confidence. Over his career, Butler has averaged just 2.4 attempts per game, hitting less than one while shooting a modest 33.0%. This season, those numbers have dipped even further, with Butler taking just 1.4 attempts per game and sinking only 0.5.

Suns need more rebounding. Phoenix currently ranks 25^th in the NBA. They are 5^th worst in the league giving up 12.84 offensive rebounds per game. While I understand Jimmy is not known for his rebounding, rebounding is a big area of concern for this team. The point here is JB does not move this needle.

If we do acquire Butler, that means Ryan Dunn will most likely return to the bench. That is if he is not included in the trade, which personally I am praying he is not. Ryan has been one of the only bright spots during this season. Dunn thrives with the starters and offers a glimmer of hope for the future of this franchise.

Instead, I would relegate Tyus Jones to the bench. I know that is not a popular stance but a Dunn, KD, Richards, Book, and Butler starting lineup would be formidable. I always felt that Tyus was best suited for a reserve role.

My main question with Jimmy Butler is, is he a malcontent?

He is currently making life miserable for the Miami Heat team and organization. Miami suspended him twice for conduct detrimental to the team and has lost several million dollars in salary. This is not the first time Butler forced his way off a team.

In Minnesota, he requested a trade due to what a “source” said was JB didn’t believe all of his teammates were committed to winning. The very next practice, Butler dominated a scrimmage with nothing but the end of bench players. Butler yelled at GM Scott Layden, “You fu#$ing need me, Scott. You can’t win without me.” A few weeks later Butler was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.

During his brief stay with the 76ers, Butler had a challenging relationship with then-Coach Brett Brown. He was very vocal about his displeasure with Brown’s offensive system and leadership style. There was an episode in the film room where some witnesses considered the exchange disrespectful. Butler was traded that off-season to the Miami Heat.

Recently on an Inside the NBA episode, Shaq, Kenny and Chuck had a lively discussion over the Butler situation. Barkley and Kenny made a great point that his current actions are “unprofessional.” I must agree with them, it is unprofessional. Butler wants a contract extension and Miami probably will not give it to him.

Shaq noted that he has been in this situation and his feeling was, “All that I have done for you and you don’t want to give me what I want? … You don’t want me, I don’t want you.” Those are Shaq words, not Butler’s. Shaq said that is human nature to feel that way.

Yes, it is but you have an obligation to your teammates. You are a professional. You are getting paid VERY WELL to play a game. Butler is savvy to know the NBA landscape. The Suns have a new owner who is not afraid to spend money. That brings the question of what is Butler’s motivation? Is it money or does he want to play with KD and Book? It could be both, I understand that.

As much as I want the Suns to win a championship, I would pass on Jimmy Butler.

I know a Butler trade would be part of other moves but I don’t feel trading for an oft-injured 35-year-old is going to put the Suns at the same level as OKC, Cleveland, or the Celtics. We can do better with our new draft capital. We need to try and get younger and more athletic.

Caveat emptor, let the buyer beware.