Lost in the headlines coming out of Atlanta are rumors that the Bulls may look to shop Jimmy Butler. Such an idea isn’t particularly new – the All-Star was said to be on the block during the 2016 NBA Draft – but the impact of such a deal would be significant. Two Atlantic Division teams, the Celtics and Sixers, have been linked to the Bulls swingman and may or may not be in the mix of clubs looking to attain him.
While Keith Pompey of The Inquirer thinks that Butler would be a good fit with the Sixers alongside Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, A. Sherrod Blakely of Comcast SportsNet speculates that the Celtics may not have enough to get a deal done. The C’s have been said to be seeking a star, but Blakely suggests that Chicago will be looking for a “major haul” that Boston wouldn’t be able to meet.
Over the course of the next few weeks, teams will continue to inquire about the Bulls All-Star as he averages 25.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. Butler is owed $17.6MM this season and is signed through 2020.
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- Out of action since Summer League, Delon Wright is creeping ever closer to making his return to action for the Raptors. Mike Sorensen of The Deseret News writes that the sophomore guard will begin playing 3-on-3 next week for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery. Sorensen writes that Wright may not see action until “possibly next month.”
- The Raptors and Celtics already had a tough road ahead of them in the Eastern Conference, but Sports Illustrated’s Ben Golliver writes that the recent acquisition of Kyle Korver could spur them to be bolder as the trade deadline approaches.
- We wrote about Isaiah Thomas‘ emergence as a star earlier this week, but Comcast SportsNet has recently put together five reasons why the point guard should be considered a max contract player. The Celtics could soon renegotiate the contract that he first signed with the Suns in 2014.
- The D-League affiliate of the Nets has acquired the rights to recently waived R.J. Hunter, the team writes in a press release. Hunter had previously played for the Bulls, though only saw action in three games this season.
GarPax needs to go stat. They’re the reason the Bulls find themselves where they are. Decisions like not moving Pau at the deadline (to what, make the 8th seed?), saying you want to get younger and more athletic only to do the opposite, and publicly attempting to embarrass Thibs before ousting him, show the true ineptitude of this front office. What’s scary is that these are just SOME of the more recent transgressions.
The best thing this FO has done was to draft Derrick Rose, an option they had because they won the lottery with 1.8% odds. Other than that they’ve really not made any other shrewd or needle moving moves since Pax took the helm. They’ve signed Boozer, a litany of poor coaches, failed to acquire Kobe/Garnett, traded for Doug, and failed to capitalize on the many assets they had not two years ago. It’s time they’re relieved of their jobs.
Side note- people will point to the drafting of Jimmy as a positive, and while that certainly is the case (even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally) Thibs was INSTRUMENTAL for his development throughout his early years.
Yep. The Kings were offering Ben mclemore( a still young crazy athletic 2 guard) and the removal of restrictions on the kings first rounder that the bulls have( in a crazy stacked draft)for pau. What were they thinking. That said For Doug I think he can be a really good role player and boozer was a good signing for the first two years. Other than that. Spot on
Would have taken the Kings offer in a heart beat. Boozer was fine but I’d consider his contract a bad one looking back. Doug does have that chance, but they gave up two first round picks and one of those players is definitely better. Not to mention they could have drafted Lavine with their original pick AND once they traded up too. GarPax just don’t have a clue.
Boozer was terrible.
Agree. Boozer was a softy bust. He was a ghost in defense, only played good when there was no pressure, would constantly miss easy shots (and then proceed to yell “Dats a fowl” — when it clearly wasn’t), would wither away against good teams, and was constantly outmuscled. He was brutal. Admittedly, he did have a good amount of double doubles, but the numbers are deceiving, as I already outline why.
Just don’t trade Rondo until he puts a thumping on Paxon!
Completely agreed.
outside of Embiid and Simmons, what could the Sixers offer that’s more than the Celtics can? Similar draft picks…Noel and Okafor? And Bulls would want them more than Brown, Smart, Bradley, etc.?
Wouldn’t be similar draft picks. Any team getting Jimmy gets a big bump. Bulls should only move Jimmy for the Nets draft picks rotational players. Otherwise, trim the fat, begin collecting assets for guys on the roster, and put yourself in a position to surround Jimmy with above replacement level players for future seasons.
What about both Nets picks + Bradley (15-20 ppg and best Def 2 in the league), plus maybe another pick or 2
I would counter with crowder instead of Bradley if I’m garpax but make that trade if they decline the counter.
Biases Sixers fan here but I think this is a solid package:
Noel/Okafor
Saric
Covington
Sergio Rodriguez (expiring contract)
Lakers pick
For Butler. Plus Sixers take (and waive) Rondo
Drugs are bad, mmkay?
Classic every teams spare parts for a top 10-15 player trade proposal
Allegedly Boston turned down a deal at the draft for Crowder, Smart, and the #3 pick. How is this deal significantly worse? Let’s say it’s basically Okafor, Saric and the Lakers pick (prob 4-8 range in a much better draft). Sixers could even kick in the unprotected 2019 Sacramento pick.
You don’t get 100 cents in the dollars trading stars unless it’s with Billy King…
Then you don’t trade him. They can just as easily not trade Butler, and try to build around him. As I detailed above in another comment, if I’m the Bulls FO I’m only trading him for BOTH Brooklyn picks Bradley/ Crowder etc. Jimmy is locked up on a relatively cheap deal for his status. His contract makes him that much more valuable.
If they got the Nets picks, they’d likely have two lottery picks (good chance at #1 too) plus the kings pick potentially, AND the Nets pick next year. That’s a great opportunity for a rebuilding team.
Portland receives: Butler
Chicago receives: McCollum, Clevelands 2017 1st rd pick, Portlands 2017 1st rd pick.
McCollums contract has a poison pill… So Portland would have to find a way to shed salary elsewhere, but overall both teams win.
Chicago gets a rising young stud and multiple 1st rounders to jumpstart their rebuild, and Portland begins shoring up their perimeter defense.
Oh please. Celtics can offer Nets pick, future 1st round pick (own or clips), crowder, and Rozier or smart or whoever. Maybe Amir for salary purposes. Haven’t run anything through the trade machine
Celtics have the best assets to make any trade for any player. This is a guard dominant draft and they have guards already. I don’t see where bringing in Jimmy Butler is the answer, since they really need a Center like Boogie or Brook Lopez or at worst like Nerlens Noel. Maybe in a blockbuster 3-team deal where Butler goes to the Kings and Cousins to the Celtics.