Suns Reportedly Interested in Caron Butler

by Seth Pollack on Dec 18, 2009 10:21 AM MST in Phoenix Suns Commentary

The Washington Post's Michael Lee dropped this little gem into his Friday article about the Wizards struggles.

The Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns, the Wizards' opponents on Friday and Saturday, respectively, were both interested in acquiring Butler, who has been in a season-long slump under new Coach Flip Saunders, averaging just 16.7 points per game and shooting 41.4 percent.

Since this is the Washington Post and it is the first real trade rumor involving the Suns this season it is probably worth examining at least a little bit. Not too much though because in all likelihood this is an old rumor from the off-season and was tangled up in the various reports involving Amare going to Washington.

And of course we all know that Amare was and probably will be involved in trade rumor with half the teams in the league.

So, I wouldn't and don't take this one too seriously but it is out there and our job (if you will) is to overreact and get all hyperbolic about these things. Otherwise what's the internet/blogs for - right, Tiger?

Butler is a small forward with emphasis on small. He's a guy barely bigger than Jason Richardson and probably no stronger. Caron has had a classic up and down career marred by repeated injuries. What I love about him is his tenacity and rebounding for his size (6 rpg) but how exactly would he fit on to this Suns team?

He wouldn't. He's a wing player that doesn't shoot the three (~30%) and is a guy who would need to play if he came here so who's minutes does he get? Do you bench Grant Hill to play Caron Butler? In the long term, maybe but for these season, no. He's a nice player but he's not a guy you would risk much to get as part of a long term plan and certainly not at the price.

Butler is under contract until the end of 2010/11 season making about $10.5m next year. That's about $4m less than Jason Richardson will make in the final year of his contract so on the surface a swap of those two doesn't work from a numbers perspective even if the Wizards threw in the intriguing young Nick Young's rookie contract which they wouldn't likely do.

Salaries aside, the last thing the Suns need to do at this point is make a major trade like this. Richardson is playing well for the Suns and the team chemistry is fantastic. Butler might be a great guy, but I think recent history has shown that making mid-season trade of major players only makes sense in fantasy leagues, video games, and for desperate teams.

The Phoenix Suns are none of those which is why I don't think there's anything nor should there be anything to this rumor (which is likely out of date anyway). Move along. Nothing to see here.

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I liked a deal for Caron Butler better

last year, when it possibly included the #5 pick and Nick Young.

by jburning on Dec 18, 2009 10:46 AM MST reply actions

Instead Washington accepted, for the #5,

Randy Foye and Mike Miller. Foye’s getting maybe 5 minutes a night off their bench, Miller’s been injured, and the team is struggling to gel under Flip Saunders. Caron Butler’s a conspicuous case of someone whose production has fallen off under the new Flippified scheme.

I think they’d rather have consolidated talent (two players for Stoudamire) than broken it up (the #5 for two players) in retrospect. The difference for them was probably that Butler’s a defensive player, whereas Amaré…. He’s not.

The balance of the Wizards’ roster would be vastly better with Stoudamire added. They’re loaded with half-competent wings right now.

"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."

by feral on Dec 18, 2009 3:40 PM MST up reply actions

Hmm ...

After reading the Washington Post article, it appears that the author IS referring to the Suns’ reported interest near the draft last year, rather than this being a current interest of the Suns’ organization.

by jburning on Dec 18, 2009 10:48 AM MST reply actions

honestly at this point, hypothetically speaking as if the trade was still feasible, i would take their lottery pick and caron for amare.

we dont have a first round pick this year, and washington is most likely going to end the season near the bottom.

by vdub on Dec 18, 2009 11:57 AM MST reply actions

Their lottery pick this year or last?

Probably their pick can’t be relied on to be at that #5 level this coming year. Last summer once Rubio fell it would have been crazy to not take him there, and then the money means he won’t be over for a couple of years. Kind’ve a sticky wicket..

In the Suns’ shoes, I’d probably still do it. Caron Butler is a stud who plays both ways. Sort’ve player whose numbers don’t exactly suffer playing for Phoenix.

"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."

by feral on Dec 18, 2009 3:43 PM MST up reply actions

Regardless

the lottery is looking pretty good again this year, so if we can get a lottery pick from them, it would be worth it.

even the late lottery consists of players like devin ebanks, ed davis, aminu, montiejunas, xavier henry,

by vdub on Dec 19, 2009 2:13 PM MST up reply actions

Really it's probably better up high this coming draft,

so if the Wizards pick was around #10 or so, you’d get decent talent.

For the Suns I would absolutely prefer the wishful past and Rubio at #5, though. To transition from Steve Nash to a Rubio-level floor vision? Caron Butler and Ricky Blonde would be amazing return on Stoudamire, particularly if you make the assumption that Amaré’s pretty serious about testing the FA waters….

"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."

by feral on Dec 19, 2009 4:32 PM MST up reply actions

Agreed

I like Caron a lot, but I don’t see this as a good fit.

by Vic De Zen on Dec 18, 2009 1:00 PM MST reply actions

guys not giving Butler enough credit....

Not sure I want to break up the team but Caron Butler is a great player that is struggling with the rest of the Wizards this year. Who would we even consider trading for him?
What about JRich who is having a killer year.

Butler is a much stronger overall defender.
He is a better rebounder.
He can actually shoot pretty good and can knock down the long ball.
He is tough as nails.

I don’t know who we could trade to pick him up. I would not be interrested in trading Amare for him. He looks like he has found his game back these last couple of nights and looks like a beast again.

Caron could play 2 guard for us and really help the overall defense. He is a lock down defender that can guard the bigger 2’s and would thrive with Nash. He could hit mid range jump shots and 3’s all night in our system.

Not saying I really want to break up this team or anything but what about the though of moving him to 2 guard in exchange for Jrich. Give us Young as well to match up the salaries… What do you guys think or is everyone down on Caron Butler ?

by RGreyslak on Dec 18, 2009 9:46 PM MST reply actions

sorryy,,,

didnt read all the way through before I commented. though it was about amare.
Stan was right on with possibly JRich and Young but what about playing him at the 2 instead of the 3?

by RGreyslak on Dec 18, 2009 9:48 PM MST up reply actions