In some ways, NBA offense has been reduced to a straightforward equation. Find an excellent playmaker and surround them with shooters.

It is a good strategy. That elite playmaker commands defensive attention, something opponents cannot afford when surrounded by shooters. It forces the opposing team to choose their poison.

However, it is a game plan with potential limits. Even the finest shooters can become chilled.

When they do, it is advantageous to have a player that can generate buckets on their own. Jimmy Butler is exactly that kind of player. When his team’s offensive breaks down, he can carry it. Imagine if he teamed up with a top playmaker.

Here’s a deal that would see them doing just that: moving him to the Denver Nuggets.