Butler Could Be Dealt On Thursday's Deadline

With the Thursday's NBA trade deadline rapidly approaching, the Washington Wizards might be on the verge of trading two-time All-Star Caron Butler.

Coming into the season, the Wizards knew they were going to have some issues, dealing with the fact that three-time All-Star Gilbert Arenas was going to miss some time because he is still is in the process of rehabilitation his left knee. Also, Center Brendan Haywood would be out for the season due to torn ligaments in his right wrist.

With all of that said, it is inexcusable to be 11-42 at the mid-season point. With two All-Stars in Butler and Antawn Jamison the team should at least be mediocre and try to compete at a high level.

What we have seen this season is bad shot selection from the team, bad transition defense, and what has been there Achilles hill the last two years injuries. As, a result someone has to go and someone has to go now.

There has been some talk around the league that the Wizards might be looking to deal on the deadline. Most of the talks has been involving Butler, The Wizards are listening to see what teams have to offer and if they like a deal they will pull the trigger.

As great as Butler has been to the city and the team, he has been unable to stay healthy the last couple of years. This is a business, and if you don't win basketball games then your job is going to be in jeopardy.

With players like Nick Young, Dominic McGuire, and Andray Blatche all getting quality minutes on the basketball court, they maybe can fill in that spot if Butler is traded and can save them a lot of money.

'”He's an All-Star caliber player, but if the team does not make a move at the deadline, it is going to wind up smack in luxury tax territory. They can't trade PF Antawn Jamison or PG Gilbert Arenas because of their contracts, so Butler remains their only option,” an NBA reporter said Saturday.

Butler (28) will make about $9 million this season and his contract expires in the 2010-11 NBA season. If the Wizards are able to send Butler along with Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila, or even a Mike James contract for an expiring deal it would save them a lot of money for the future.

"I've gotten a lot of calls about a lot of our players and that's a good thing. That means our players have value around the league. That means other people around the league value their abilities, but if you take the long view, we have a good nucleus of players and once we have all of our guys back, we feel that we can be a very competitive team Grunfeld said.

Some guys that also may be dealt on the deadline for the Wizards are

1. Mike James: Will make $6 million this season, two years left on deal.

2. Etan Thomas: Will also make about $6 million, two years left on current contract.

3. Darius Songaila: Will make $4 million this season, three years left on deal.

4. Oleksiy Pecherov: He's a young guy but has not made much improvement.

5. Juan Dixon: probably will not be returning next season, but he still can be traded.

One question people are asking is it time for Ernie Grunfeld to call Phoenix, who is looking to move Amare Stoudemire, and say, ''Hey will we give you Caron Butler and this young 6’11” Andray Blatche along with a contract like Mike James, Darius Songaila for Stoudemire?”

If Grunfeld was to pull an acquisition like Stoudemire, and the team could still have their lottery pick this upcoming summer this is a 50-win team next season.

If they are able to bring in a true point guard next season, and he is a guy that can give guys easy shots it would benefit them if Arenas goes down again.

Ernie Grunfeld loves to bring in these big guards in but it does not work. That's the reason for this disaster in the first place along with the injuries. The Wizards do not have a true point guard on the roster and it has been like that since Steve Blake left.

But with the roster they have next season this still won't be in NBA Finals team even if Arenas comes back. By making this move it would at least make them Eastern Conference Finals team. That's why the Wizards have to make a deal in order to keep up with the Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, and the young upcoming teams.

If Butler is traded away, this will surely mean that the Wizards are starting over and are going in a new direction. Although you still have the two components in Arenas and Jamison. Butler is the glue to the team and a leader, great person, and teammate.

It's been a great run for the big three, but it seems now something has to give.

We will see what happens.