Jimmy Buckets is on the block in Minnesota, and a couple of reported suitors include the Heat and the Cavs.
ESPN Sources: Another team pursuing a Jimmy Butler trade with Minnesota: Cleveland. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert was seen talking privately with Glen Taylor at NBA Board of Governors meeting on Friday. Both owners played a part in negotiating the Love-Wiggins deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 23, 2018
So what does this have to do with the Hawks?
Well, the Hawks have the Cavs’ 2019 first round pick, but it is top 10 protected. With LeBron James leaving town, no one in Cleveland knows how to react. However, a team with Kevin Love and Collin Sexton may not be so bad in a weak East, which could lead to the Hawks getting a solid first-round pick in exchange for a half season of Kyle Korver a couple seasons ago.
The Cavs clearly want to stay relevant in the wake of losing LeBron, and getting another star talent like Butler could be a start. They may not be able to acquire him, but being in the mix for a player of this caliber is not indicative of a tanking team. The Cavaliers are clearly looking to improve, and Hawks fans hope they do, so Travis Schlenk has more draft capital at his disposal next summer.