After suffering another heartbreaking loss against the Golden State Warriors in this year's NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers are giving their best to improve their roster and bounce back next season. The Cavaliers will have to add another star player to the team if they want to stand a chance against the Warriors, and they already have a Chicago Bulls player on their radar.
According to the recent reports, the 2016 NBA champions are interested in trading for Jimmy Butler. Furthermore, it seems that this wouldn't be a trade between the Bulls and the Cavaliers, as another team would be involved, most likely the Phoenix Suns.
While it's still too early to say the trade will be done, the Cavaliers are definitely giving their best to acquire Butler and they are looking for the best way to do it.
Jimmy Butler to the Cleveland Cavaliers
The first report about this potential trade came from ESPN's Marc Stein. Stein claimed the Cavaliers are looking for another team that would provide trade assets. It seems that the Chicago Bulls are trying to get as much as they can for Jimmy Butler, which is not a surprise.
The Cavs obviously have to rope in at least one more team to provide the assets Chicago would surely demand but, sources say, are trying.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 19, 2017
K.C. Johnson reported that the third team involved in the trade could be the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns would receive Kevin Love from the Cavaliers while they would give up their future draft picks and young players for the Chicago Bulls. In conclusion, Butler would be sent to Cleveland, so the Cavaliers would basically do a Love-for-Butler trade in a more complicated way.
The Cavaliers and the Bulls are not allowed to do a direct trade as Kevin Love's salary for the next season is $22.6 million, which is much higher than Jimmy Butler's $17.5 million salary.
If the Cavs send Love to the Suns and receive Butler in return, not only would they get a younger superstar, but they'd also save over $5 million in cap space.
Would this trade improve the Cavaliers?
While Kevin Love is a great player and one of the best rebounders in the league, the Cavaliers simply need someone else, someone who'd carry the team while LeBron James is on the bench.
Jimmy Butler did a great job with his Bulls and he averaged 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game last season.
The Cavaliers were 0-8 without James last season and he was the only player that posted a positive +/- in the Finals, even though the Cavs lost the series by over 30 points. They desperately need another leader, and Butler would be a perfect choice for them.
