DCZards wrote:doclinkin wrote:I guess I don't see Butler as all that much better than Raul Neto. A 6'3" guard with relatively short arms, decent range, competitive nature, but not incredible handle or quick twitch speed. I like Davion Mitchell since he showed a defensive ferocity that looks like it will translate, he plays much bigger than his frame and passed Butler in the mocks during the tourney. Butler was a nice player on that team, but not a standout for the eye test.
I guess I figure if I dangled the pick for trade to a team like the Knicks (Wagner for instance, seems like the Penguin would covet him) then maybe Butler is still there a few picks later, but if not then I am happier with Duarte plus Queta or some combo with future considerations and all.
I don't disagree that Butler's teammate Mitchell might turn out to be the better NBA player. Davion is a great defender and if you're looking for a true PG Mitchell would be the clear preference over Butler.
But Butler is no slouch on defense and he plays with a poise and maturity that I really, really like. And you underestimate Butler's shooting. He doesn't simply have "decent" range. He has "outstanding" range.
Butler is not a great athlete but neither is CJ McCollum who he sorta reminds me of.
(BTW, I've gone back and forth between wanting Butler and Mitchell. But I've given the edge to Butler because I believe he's going to be an outstanding 3pt shooter at the next level and that's an extremely important skill in today's NBA.)
Alright, now compare Butler to another player without top end athleticism but excellent scoring efficiency, and notably solid defense:
Butler vs DuarteGive me Duarte and Queta over Butler, Giddey, or Franz alone.
Duarte is taller, longer, rebounds better, shoots more efficiently inside and out and from the line. He turns the ball over less. Blocks shots at twice the rate, fouls significantly less. Butler passes better, more often, more willingly.
On this team Duarte fills a need as back-up to Beal. He can reliably defend 2-3. HIs play style is so similar to Beal that there would be little adjustment between them. He can handle on a dribble drive in the way that Garrison cannot. Butler can slot in behind either Beal or Russ, but would be replacing Neto in the line-up. Personally I am unconvinced that Butler would be a significant upgrade to Neto, at least early, on either offense or defense. Whereas we have struggled to find a back-up to Beal. This is an era where combo 1-2 guards are easier to find then competent shooting guards with decent size. There will be another small scrappy gunner next year or in free agency. Either way: to my way of thinking, on defense, when in doubt, take the bigger player. You don't have to work as hard to cover ground that way.
In all, if I could trade the chance to get Butler, and pick up Duarte plus assets, to my way of thinking I look for that deal.
I'd take Duarte + Queta over any of Butler, Franz, or even Giddey for this team. I might waffle over Giddey, but with future assets included I'd pull the trigger.
