So here is my breakdown of this trade.
For Minny:
- They want to dump Dieng while dumping Butler (3 years $16 per year)
- They don't want the salary from Knight (2 years $15 per year)
- They probably want PJ Tucker ($8 million per year bargain) or Eric Gordon (2 years $14 per year)
- In order to get the 4 picks, they probably have to take Knight
- They are willing to take Marquese Chriss
For Houston:
- They want to send out Knight to match most of Butler's salary
- They don't want to take back Dieng (3 years $16 per year)
- They don't want to send Gordon or Tucker
- They might not want to send out Chriss who gives them youth on an old team
NBA Rules:
- Knight and Chriss can't be traded until 10/31
What the trade will probably look like if it happens:
Jimmy Butler, and maybe 2nd rounders
for
Knight, Chriss, Houston 2019 1st, Houston 2021 1st, Houston 2023 Top 4 Protected 1st, Houston 2025 Top 4 Protected 1st