OK, let’s recap that really quickly
If we traded Butler…
- De’Aaron Fox (No. 3 overall pick), OG Anunoby (No. 16 overall pick), Josh Hart (No. 38 overall pick), the Brooklyn Nets’ first-round pick in 2018 and either the Lakers pick in 2018 (2-5 protected) or the unprotected Sacramento Kings pick in the first round for 2019
If we kept Butler…
- Justin Jackson (No. 16 overall pick) and Tyler Dorsey (No. 38 overall pick)
Now, let’s get to building the rest of the roster, starting with looking at what we got
Let’s make this simple: in no way, shape or form am I bringing back Rajon Rondo or Dwyane Wade in 2017-18. Two good playoff games from Rondo isn’t going to get me to ignore how putrid he was throughout virtually this entire season last year. He’s a minus defender that’s older and can’t shoot. Thanks, but no thanks. He gone. (Word to Ken “Hawk” Harrelson.)
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As for Wade, it’s trickier. He has a player option. That’s on him. If he wants to stay (and he’s already said in real life that he’s going to), fine. But, he’s coming off the bench. Paxson wants to see what the young kids can do, right? Well, we’ve seen what Wade can do and it’s nowhere near what he used to be able to do in Miami. You can be Fred Hoiberg’s first option off the bench, but you’re not starting. If he’s OK with that, then he can stay and play it out if he chooses to. If not, thanks for the cap space and best wishes in your future endeavors.
If just Rondo is off the books, here’s who is signed through the 2017-18 season (with Wade accepting his player option):
- Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade, Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant, Bobby Portis, Cameron Payne, Denzel Valentine, Isaiah Canaan and Paul Zipser, and then add in either two or three rookies to bring the roster count to 11. (The most you can have on a roster is 15.)
If Rondo is gone, plus Wade going elsewhere and Butler is traded:
The depth chart would look something like this (with those that are signed next season).
(* = rookies drafted from trade)
PG: De’Aaron Fox*, Cameron Payne, Jerian Grant, Isaiah Canaan
SG: Denzel Valentine, Josh Hart*
SF: OG Anunoby*, Paul Zipser
PF: Bobby Portis
C: Robin Lopez
If Rondo is gone, but Wade stays and Butler is still here:
This would be the depth chart (with those that are signed next season).
(* = rookies)
PG: Cameron Payne, Jerian Grant, Isaiah Canaan
SG: Dwyane Wade, Denzel Valentine, Tyler Dorsey*
SF: Jimmy Butler, Justin Jackson*, Paul Zipser
PF: Bobby Portis
C: Robin Lopez