There’s never a wrong time for this photo.

Caron Butler has chosen to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder over the Miami Heat, another team who coveted his services. Butler is expected to clear waivers on Saturday at 5 P.M. ET, and he will sign for the rest of the season to play with the Thunder.

Butler, who is turning 34 on March 13th, decided that his best opportunity to chase and win a championship is with the Thunder, not the Miami Heat, the team that drafted him 10th overall in 2002.

He signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2011-12 season, but he broke his hand early in the playoffs. After another early playoff-exit, Butler was traded to the Phoenix Suns along with Eric Bledsoe. The Suns were in rebuilding mode (or so we thought at the time), so they moved him to the Milwaukee Bucks, allowing him to play in front of his friends and family.

In 34 games with the Milwaukee Bucks, he averaged 11 points and 4.6 rebounds in 24.1 mpg. He is no longer an All-Star-caliber player, yet he is still tough while still providing defense and scoring when in demand. He is still capable of knocking down midrange shots on a consistent basis, which will open more room for Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Meanwhile, the rest of the West is getting tougher, and the other teams are getting better. The Golden State Warriors traded for Steve Blake to bolster their bench. Danny Granger, after being bought out by the Philadelphia 76ers, committed to joining the Los Angeles Clippers. Butler is a good move for the Thunder, but that does not guarantee a Western Conference Finals. We’ll see how this addition helps them reach their goal.

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