Caron Butler on the Move?
With the suspensions of Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton trade talks swirling around the Wizards potential fire sale are heating up. The Wizards season is in the toilet and the franchise would love to try and get below the luxury tax line prior to this summer. Both Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison are rumored to be available, but, at this time Butler seems to be the most likely to be dealt by the deadline.
One of the higher profile rumors has the Wizards being involved in a three-way deal with the Knicks and Rockets. The centerpiece of the deal involves the Wizards sending Caron Butler and Brendan Heyward’s expiring contract to the Rockets, the Rockets, in turn, would send Tracy McGrady to New York and the Knicks would ship Al Harrington to the Wizards.
Just looking over the numbers there will obviously have to be other players involved in the deal to make the salaries work. The Knicks would be taking on an additional $23 million in terms of a cap number and giving up roughly ten.
The Wizards are also likely going to want more than just Al Harrington’s expiring contract in return for a guy like Butler. It will probably take at least a first round pick and/or a young player they can use to rebuild with to land Butler.
The Rockets like the deal because they get another scorer, Butler, and a big man, Haywood, who can give them 30+ minutes, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. They also shed themselves of McGrady and receive some added depth in their rotation.
The deal does nothing for the Knicks since they are not giving up anyone who is signed after this season. The deal really only benefits them if they are able include Eddy Curry or Jared Jeffries in the deal.
The deal is somewhat attractive to the Wizards as $16 million in payroll potentially comes off the books after the season ends. But, as I mentioned, they are going to need a little more to give up a guy like Butler.
Caron Butler seems to be in popular demand as Mavericks owner Mark Cuban reportedly covets the swing man. It is being rumored that Cuban is willing to give the Wizards Josh Howard, who has a team option on his deal for next year, straight up for Butler. Howard has been in a tail spin this season and he could pay dividends for the Wizards with a simple change of scenery.
One suspects that the Wizards may need a draft pick in return to sweeten the pot a bit. Butler for Howard straight up is not overly attractive for a team looking to re-build unless they think they can lure a high profile free agent to D. C. this summer. It is also being reported that the Wizards are insisting that teams interested in Butler take DeShawn Stevenson’s $4 million dollar salary for next season off their hands.
In addition to Butler, Antawn Jamison is also reportedly available, but, reports have the Wizards asking for a lot in return. Given that several playoff teams are interested in Jamison the Wizards know they have some leverage in terms of who lands him.
The Blazers are interested in landing a front court player, but, would prefer to
