Since LeBron James left for the second time in 2018, the Cleveland Cavaliers have struggled to find a solid replacement at small forward. This season, the team rotated through several players, including Isaac Okoro, Max Strus, Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, and Marcus Morris Sr., but none have secured the position long-term.
Injuries have contributed to this instability, but even after more than half a decade, the Cavs still lack a definitive answer at small forward. Given their limited assets, there is speculation about whether Cleveland can upgrade the position through a trade this summer. Among the potential targets is Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, who has recently gained attention from fans. Butler, known for his strong playoff performances, is reportedly seeking a $113 million extension with the Heat. If Miami is hesitant to Butler, the Cavaliers might consider making a move.
However, trading for Butler could be a risky decision. It might disrupt the progress Cleveland has made, especially given Butler’s age and the high cost of acquiring him. As the Cavaliers aim to compete for a championship with Donovan Mitchell, they cannot afford to wait passively for an ideal star to become available, but pursuing Butler could backfire.
Why Father Time is keeping Cavs from trading for Jimmy Butler
From a high-level perspective, acquiring Butler makes sense for the Cavaliers as a short-term solution at small forward. However, trading for him would necessitate meeting his financial demands. No front office will trade valuable assets for a star only to lose him in free agency, which would be a major misstep.
Thus, a potential trade for Butler means committing to a maximum extension for the 34-year-old star. Cleveland would need to be fully confident in their decision to go all-in for a championship now and believe that the current team is ready to compete at that level. Butler would be 35 at the start of next season, and a possible extension would keep him with the team through 2026-27, when he’d be 37. The next oldest player on the Cavs, sharpshooting forward Georges Niang, will be 31 next season, with Caris LeVert turning 30 in August.
All other Cavaliers players will be under 30, making it easier to integrate Niang and LeVert into the team’s timeline. However, Butler isn’t a role player—he’s a star. Acquiring Butler and signing him to an extension through the 2026-27 season would significantly alter the team’s structure.
This change could mimic Butler’s current situation in Miami, where the team has had to continuously rebuild around him. To acquire Butler, Cleveland would likely need to trade both Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland, further limiting their future options.
While Butler’s position and skills seem to fit the Cavs on paper, age, cost, and other factors complicate the situation, suggesting that Cleveland might be better off exploring other options.
Leave a Reply