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The New Orleans Pelicans have expressed interest in trading for Jimmy Butler with a package centered around the $36 million expiring contract of Brandon Ingram, sources tell The Stein Line. Miami is motivated to make the playoffs this season and are intrigued by the possibility of acquiring Ingram.

The Pelicans are well beyond playoff range and also are determine to get under the luxury tax. The Pelicans are currently almost $1.5 million over the luxury tax line. Butler is making $48.8 million this season compared to Ingram's $36 million, which means that the Pelicans would likely have to add multiple lower-salaried players to any transaction.

While the Phoenix Suns are Butler's top choice, the Pelicans join the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies as teams with varying interest in him as well.

Butler holds a $52 million player option for next season. The Pelicans could try to negotiate an extension with him should he be traded there. New Orleans and Ingram were never able to get close to an extension in their talks.

Via Marc Stein, Jake Fischer/The Stein Line

I assume they're thinking of a DJM/Jimmy/Top 5 pick/Zion/Missi reload heading into next season, with CJ, Herb and Murphy off the bench. That's not bad as long as Zion and Jimmy both decide to play 65 games for once.

Jimmy would end up in NOLA, most likely not play much the rest of this season, and decline his PO next year.

Cassius wrote:I assume they're thinking of a DJM/Jimmy/Top 5 pick/Zion/Missi reload heading into next season, with CJ, Herb and Murphy off the bench. That's not bad as long as Zion and Jimmy both decide to play 65 games for once.

CJ is not coming off the bench lol

Iverson Armband wrote:

Cassius wrote:I assume they're thinking of a DJM/Jimmy/Top 5 pick/Zion/Missi reload heading into next season, with CJ, Herb and Murphy off the bench. That's not bad as long as Zion and Jimmy both decide to play 65 games for once.

CJ is not coming off the bench lol

I mean... sure... I assumed it would be Ace as a floor spacer. Personally, I'd rather put Herb in at SF and bring the rookie along, what would you do?

TheCage4 wrote:Jimmy would end up in NOLA, most likely not play much the rest of this season, and decline his PO next year.

I will be surprised if Jimmy turns down $50m. It wouldn't hurt NOP, and might be what they're hoping for. Ingram is on his way out anyway, so it could be a salary dump. If Jimmy stays, he stays. If he bolts, NOP gets a couple 2nds in a S&T.

How about:
Ingram & CJ for Jimmy & Robinson. I'm guessing MIA would be sending assets out with this one.

Would it really be wise to not pay Ingram just to give the same money to a 35 year old Butler

Cassius wrote:

Iverson Armband wrote:

Cassius wrote:I assume they're thinking of a DJM/Jimmy/Top 5 pick/Zion/Missi reload heading into next season, with CJ, Herb and Murphy off the bench. That's not bad as long as Zion and Jimmy both decide to play 65 games for once.

CJ is not coming off the bench lol

I mean... sure... I assumed it would be Ace as a floor spacer. Personally, I'd rather put Herb in at SF and bring the rookie along, what would you do?

CJ
DJM
Jimmy
Zion
Missi

Draft pick is coming off the bench until Zion eventually gets traded. Herb and Murphy are great bench pieces.

They are not willing to max out on a 27 year old ingram but ok to pay max for a 36 yr old bulter? something doesnt sound right. This rumour sounds off.

The pelicans are the definition of a poverty franchise. No wonder CP3, AD and now Zion want to leave. I hope they don't get the #1 pick. they don't deserve it. That's 3 strikes. In the words of Darko Rajaković "It's SHAME"

circa70 wrote:The pelicans are the definition of a poverty franchise. No wonder CP3, AD and now Zion want to leave. I hope they don't get the #1 pick. they don't deserve it. That's 3 strikes. In the words of Darko Rajaković "It's SHAME"

Need new ownership and move the team to Seattle..and move the Hornets to Vegas..

Iverson Armband wrote:

Cassius wrote:

Iverson Armband wrote:CJ is not coming off the bench lol

I mean... sure... I assumed it would be Ace as a floor spacer. Personally, I'd rather put Herb in at SF and bring the rookie along, what would you do?

CJ
DJM
Jimmy
Zion
Missi

Draft pick is coming off the bench until Zion eventually gets traded. Herb and Murphy are great bench pieces.

Jimmy is going to have ZERO tolerance for Zion's lazy ass

alienpick wrote:

Iverson Armband wrote:

Cassius wrote:
I mean... sure... I assumed it would be Ace as a floor spacer. Personally, I'd rather put Herb in at SF and bring the rookie along, what would you do?

CJ
DJM
Jimmy
Zion
Missi

Draft pick is coming off the bench until Zion eventually gets traded. Herb and Murphy are great bench pieces.

Jimmy is going to have ZERO tolerance for Zion's lazy ass

100% this is the worst pairing. Zion will hate Jimmy’s antics

jimmy'z gonna wanna stay in miami after this nonsense, lol

joeschmo wrote:jimmy'z gonna wanna stay in miami after this nonsense, lol

Hello no he won't.. I wouldn't get this move for the pels though no reason to win games this year and yes Jimmy is a better player but will they pay him when they won't ingram are they thinking to trade below the luxury tax and then have Zion and Jimmy next year lift the team..

alienpick wrote:

Iverson Armband wrote:

Cassius wrote:
I mean... sure... I assumed it would be Ace as a floor spacer. Personally, I'd rather put Herb in at SF and bring the rookie along, what would you do?

CJ
DJM
Jimmy
Zion
Missi

Draft pick is coming off the bench until Zion eventually gets traded. Herb and Murphy are great bench pieces.

Jimmy is going to have ZERO tolerance for Zion's lazy ass

Maybe this is the point of the trade… bringing in someone who will challenge Zion.

trade for butler cut zion

TheCage4 wrote:Jimmy would end up in NOLA, most likely not play much the rest of this season, and decline his PO next year.

Yup

PDXKnight wrote:

TheCage4 wrote:Jimmy would end up in NOLA, most likely not play much the rest of this season, and decline his PO next year.

Yup

He’s not declining his PO when no team will pay him that on a new deal. Suns were the only teams dumb enough to do it but because their capped out, even they wouldn’t be able to do it.

Revived wrote:

PDXKnight wrote:

TheCage4 wrote:Jimmy would end up in NOLA, most likely not play much the rest of this season, and decline his PO next year.

Yup

He’s not declining his PO when no team will pay him that on a new deal. Suns were the only teams dumb enough to do it but because their capped out, even they wouldn’t be able to do it.

I wouldn't put it past Jimmy to do whatever is most in his interest whatever that may be. I'm not sure if he picks up his po or not just sure he will do what's most in his interest the team be damned.

I could see him getting 40 million annually over 4 which may be a net win for him over picking up that option as it's more money guaranteed as an insurance policy in case he has a major injury. Or he might pick up the option and work on an extension anyhow.. People always say a player makes too much then free agency comes along and there's always a couple teams willing to overspend