The Chicago Bulls have had an interesting summer to say the least. Two faces of the franchise, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, now ply their trade in New York. Their best player from a year ago, Pau Gasol, is now a San Antonio Spur. Rajon Rondo will be Rose’s replacement in a sense that both play point guard. Dwyane Wade‘s return home is sullied by the fact that it only happened due to Miami’s fiscal stinginess. But all the while, one cloud has hovered over the Bulls camp. Will the Bulls trade Jimmy Butler? The rumblings were loudest at the Draft, but seemingly died off after all those deals fell through. Those whispers have returned, but after all this remodeling in Chicago, can we believe them?
Jimmy Butler can’t really deal with conjecture and rumors at the moment. He’s too busy in Rio wrecking house with Team USA. But back in the States, new trade rumors surrounding him seem to crop up every day. But it is the oldies that still make the most noise.
The Timberwolves seem content to head into 2016-17 with the roster they have. Their pursuit of Butler during the Draft process was just as much about maximizing the value of their pick as it was about improving their roster. But while Minnesota may be “all good”, Boston, the other team linked to Butler in June, still have their trade wheels turning. They may not have the picks to move this year any longer, but the C’s still have plenty of players and future picks to swing a deal with Chicago. A tandem of Butler and the newly acquired Al Horford could further vault Boston up the Eastern Conference pecking order.
Another team readying themselves for a potential Butler swap is Orlando. Seeing a Paul George/Frank Vogel reunion as a dwindling possibility, the Magic have returned their attention to Butler. There were several mentions of dealings between the two at last year’s trade deadline and at the Draft, but nothing substantial came of it. Afterwards though, Orlando has seemed to have rejuvenated interest in the 26 year old. A similar package to the offer for George would be in the cards, notably Victor Oladipo, either Nikola Vucevic or Evan Fournier, and a future first round pick.
The most intriguing landing spot for Butler though would be the defending champion Cavaliers. LeBron James and company have been recruiting Butler heavily as a potential answer to the All-Star conglomerate that the Warriors put together. Butler would strengthen the perimeter defense of the champs. That alone would make LeBron howl with joy. But what would Cleveland have to give up? Kevin Love would be a good starting point. There would have to be more players, and creativity, from there as Love and Butler’s salaries aren’t an even swap. But if the two Central Division powers were able to work out the kinks, this could shift the balance of power in the conference even more towards The Land.
Now as with most trade rumors, this is all generally sixth hand information. It is even more so when GM Gar Forman says that for now Butler is off the market. While I want to take the man at his word, he has shown nothing during his tenure as general manager for me to give him that benefit of the doubt. The Bulls front office has routinely collided with their coaches, players, and fans. They toe the Triple H line of “what’s best for business“, but more and more that business seems to be more marketing based than winning basketball games. So will Jimmy Butler be in black and red for the entirety of the 2016-17 season? Who knows. But eventually rumors become more than rumors, and with so many surrounding Jimmy Butler, one eventually has to come to fruition.