Many thought it was crazy talk that the Chicago Bulls might trade two stars in two days, but the notion of them dealing Jimmy Butler is not so absurd after all.
There has been tons of chatter Thursday about the Bulls making Jimmy Butler available or about other teams trying to pry him away.
First there was a report that the Bulls had interest in trading Butler to the Lakers for the No. 2 overall pick, which became Brandon Ingram.
Then there was a rumor that the Celtics were making the No. 3 overall pick, which they used on Jaylen Brown, available via a trade, and that they wanted Butler from the Bulls:
And ESPN sources say that Boston has been holding out all day for a better offer; Chicago's Jimmy Butler has been HIGH on the Celts' list
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 23, 2016
Bulls have held advanced discussions w/ Celtics centered on Jimmy Butler and No. 3 pick. Bulls love Kris Dunn. But Bulls don't love Cs offer
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 23, 2016
KC Johnson also said that Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley were names involved in the trade talks.
The latest Jimmy Butler trade rumor involves talk that the Timberwolves (run by former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau) want Butler.
ESPN sources say Minnesota continues to try to engage Chicago on talks built around Kris Dunn to try to import Jimmy Butler to the Wolves
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 24, 2016
Minnesota and Chicago still in serious talks on a Jimmy Butler deal centered on fifth pick Kris Dunn, league sources tell @TheVertical
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 24, 2016
The Bulls made it clear they are ready for changes when they dealt Derrick Rose to the Knicks on Wednesday. Trading away Butler would signal a full-on rebuild for the team.
