Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors: Latest News, Buzz and Speculation on Bulls Star
By Brian Marron, Featured Columnist Jun 13, 2016
Chicago Bulls star
Jimmy Butler is reportedly drawing trade interest from numerous teams slated to pick near the top of the 2016
NBA draft.
According to ESPN.com's
Chad Ford and Marc Stein, the
Boston Celtics and
Minnesota Timberwolves are among those pushing to acquire Butler.
Continue for updates.
Minnesota Willing to Deal No. 5 Pick
Tuesday, June 14
The Timberwolves would package their fifth overall pick in June's draft for Butler, per Ford and Stein on Monday. Former Chicago head coach Tom Thibodeau is now the head coach and president of basketball operations in Minnesota, and the team's front office has made its interest clear to the Bulls.
Chicago is not actively shopping Butler, but it is listening to offers, per Ford and Stein. The team would want a hefty return that includes a top draft pick and an impact frontcourt player.
Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News reported on Tuesday that the Bulls would be looking to acquire Andrew Wiggins in a deal for Butler.
Ford and Stein also reported that Providence point guard Kris Dunn is high on Chicago's draft board, and the team would likely target him should it move up. The Bulls have also spoken with Boston about moving Butler for the No. 3 pick.
Butler told ESPN.com's
Nick Friedell in May that he wants to stay with the Bulls, and he believes he will be in Chicago when training camp begins:
Yeah, I think so. … I do think that with the year that we did have last season -- it's unacceptable. So you have to then, truth be told, you got to look at everything. I didn't do my job, so truth be told, can I help this team win? That's the question that's brought up. And I can't be mad at that. You can use whatever excuse you want to use, but we didn't make the playoffs. That's all anybody sees and that's rightfully so. So do I think I'm going to be here? Yeah, I think so.
An All-Star in the past two seasons, Butler added that he will continue to focus on basketball moving forward instead of being distracted by trade rumors.
The 26-year-old averaged 20.9 points and 1.6 steals per game last season.
Butler is a dynamic two-way guard who would fit in well with Minnesota. The team needs another scorer in the backcourt who can take pressure off Wiggins, should he remain, and open up the floor for Karl-Anthony Towns and Ricky Rubio.
Butler is also familiar with Thibodeau's system, so the swingman could become a veteran presence who can help Minnesota's young core buy into its coach's principles.
Boston would be a fit, too, as it needs a wing who can hit outside shots. The team would likely have to trade Avery Bradley or Marcus Smart to make room for Butler in the backcourt.
Chicago missed the playoffs last year, but it is too early to trade its best player and rebuild after one season with head coach Fred Hoiberg. The Bulls should build around an established star like Butler instead of jeopardizing their future for unproven prospects.