After the conclusion of the NBA Finals, the offseason has suddenly become extremely eventful. First, the Paul George reports emerged yesterday. Now, Jimmy Butler is reportedly available to trade, and the Chicago Bulls are listening to offers.
The Boston Celtics are very interested in the three-time All-Star and have the 2017 third overall pick to offer, which Chicago values tremendously.
However, the Celtics are reportedly going to use their pick to pursue Gordon Hayward via free agency instead.
Cleveland Cavaliers working to acquire Butler
In the meantime, the Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as a serious suitor for Jimmy Butler. According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Cavs are working to assemble a multi-team trade to try and acquire Butler. Cleveland knows that it doesn’t have many assets that Chicago would be interested in, which is why they are trying to involve a third team to help facilitate the deal.
The Phoenix Suns may reportedly be the third team involved in the trade. Phoenix has many assets to offer Chicago, but it’s unclear what they would receive in return.
However, Phoenix would most likely include Brandon Knight in a trade package, who they have been attempting to trade for a while now.
Other than the Cavaliers and Celtics, the Minnesota Timberwolves are also very interested in acquiring Jimmy Butler. The Timberwolves and Bulls have engaged in preliminary talks, and the T'Wolves have some of the best assets to offer Chicago. The Timberwolves showed interest in Butler throughout the season since Tom Thibodeau became head coach of the team. They wanted to reunite Butler with his former coach, but trade talks never gained traction and eventually died down.
With the NBA draft quickly approaching, expect trade talks for Butler to intensify. The Timberwolves have the seventh pick in the draft, along with a handful of young players to offer Chicago.
Ricky Rubio could be another moving piece to make the deal work financially.
Chicago Bulls’ rebuilding process may be starting now
After a disappointing season where the Bulls finished eighth in the Eastern Conference and were eliminated in the first round, they may be heading for a full-on rebuilding process. The team hasn’t progressed in the Butler era, so it may be time to move on. A Butler trade may also have major implications in terms of Dwyane Wade’s free agency. Wade currently has a player option for next season and has remained in contact with the Bulls. However, if Butler is dealt, Wade may bolt as well, most likely to a contending team.