The Chicago Bulls pulled off the trade that was speculated since last year. The Bulls traded superstar Jimmy Butler, to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Zach Lavine, Kris Dunn, and the No. 7 overall pick in the draft. The Timberwolves also received the Bulls pick which was the No. 16 overall pick.
What we know
The Bulls have finally gone with a direction. The Bulls are going to go into rebuild mode. With Lavine and Dunn, the Bulls are receiving Arizona forward Laurie Markkanan. The Bulls are looking at having a starting lineup that has only one holdover from last season.
Butler found out the news at 2:00 a.m. London time. Butler is in France with Dwyane Wade at a fashion show, and Wade is not happy about Butler getting traded. Jae Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times reported that Wade is going to be looking into a buyout with the Bulls. Wade does not want to be a part of a rebuild. The Chicago native is 37 years old, but earlier this week he had informed the Bulls that he was going to opt into his player option for $24 million. The move also confirms that Rajon Rondo is unlikely to be re-signed by the Bulls.
What we don't know
Will Wade get that buyout? If Wade does not return, the Bulls could have a starting lineup of Levine, Dunn, Markkanan, Bobby Portis, and Robin Lopez.
The Bulls could try and sign someone, but the reports of signing Kyle Lowery are surely going to go away since Butler is traded away. The direction looks like the Bulls are going to take a beating this year, and score high in the lottery. Then, the Bulls can make a run at a loaded 2018 free agent class.
We don't know how Wade will act if he does not get the buyout.
In the report, Wade said he would have an open mind to coming off the bench as a sixth man, but it's hard to think at this age, Wade would be okay with that. It's not unlikely to think that Wade could take less money to go somewhere else.
The Bulls will have restored fan support
Nick Friedell said on The Waddle and Silvy Show that Bull's season ticket holders were getting fed up with the management.
He said that a lot of season ticket holders were not renewing their seats. They did not want to watch the product that was being displayed. By making a bold move such as this, the fans will understand that the management is trying to do something about this mess, even though they are the ones who made it in the first place.
Bulls fans will be upset to see Butler leave, but for fans who still support former coach, Tom Thibodeau, they will be happy. Most fans still believe Thibodeau should be here. No one knows Butler's game better than Thibs. With Butler joining Andrew Wiggins, and Karl Anthony-Towns, it should be an interesting team in Minnesota.