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How LeBron James going to Lakers affects Minnesota

By Keith Rivas

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 23: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to the game against the Minneosta Timberwolves at Quicken Loans Arena on December 1, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 23: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up prior to the game against the Minneosta Timberwolves at Quicken Loans Arena on December 1, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 05: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 05: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /

Love Jimmy Butler like he’s leaving tomorrow

Part of the problem that led to LeBron James having to leave Cleveland a second time was the fact that Cavs owner Dan Gilbert didn’t see eye to eye with him at all, leading to James not necessarily being appreciated in the right capacity. While you could counter that with saying that the team traded pieces when it seemed that’s what James wanted, but it’s important to remember that was only really after they got LeBron back from Miami.

If they had done things the right way from the beginning, he might not have even left to join the Heat and now gone off to Los Angeles.

Relating this to the Wolves, they’ve got to appreciate what they’ve got while they still have it but also at the same time find a way to prioritize Butler because it’s the right thing to do. Yes, losing Towns would be a big blow especially after investing a top overall pick in him a few years ago, but him being unhappy any longer to the point where team chemistry starts getting drastically affected isn’t worth it.

Also, the same could be said about Andrew Wiggins. While we don’t know the details of the Towns beef, Wiggins apparently has a problem being the third option behind Butler and Towns, but that’s not something that can really be fixed unless Wiggins earns those touches. Not to mention he is also a former first overall pick that got traded to Minnesota in exchange for Kevin Love, but has largely failed to live up to the hype.

That being said, it’s a no-brainer for the Wolves to make Butler the first and foremost priority regardless of everything else. They can’t necessarily pick up all of the pieces from the other situations over night, but losing Butler on top of that or because their attention was elsewhere would be devastating.

James leaving Cleveland despite Kevin Love shows that a star isn’t afraid to leave a decent situation for what feels like greener pastures in the moment. If the Wolves let Butler start to think like that, it’s already too late.

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