Jimmy Butler (Photo : Jonathan Daniel | Getty Images Sport)
The Chicago Bulls were projected to have one of the best backcourt combos in the league with Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler.
The only caveat is that it's no longer 2011 and Rose is no longer the Most Valuable Player. Jimmy Butler has developed to bringing alpha dog numbers but there are issues with gaining his teammates' respect.
According to Steve Rosenbloom of the Chicago Tribune, the dream backcourt won't happen with the Bulls as there can be only one.
"I don't see this getting better quickly otherwise," Rosenbloom said. "The inability of Rose and Butler to work and play well together would be a shotgun wedding for another season until Rose could seek the free-agency riches that determine what he hears when he listens to his body."
He also has a rationale on why the Bulls would probably hold on to Rose.
"Butler is the better all-around player, except in the offensive system designed by the man who replaced Thibodeau," Rosenbloom assessed. "Rose executes the ball-movement philosophy better -- when healthy, that is. When on the court together, it often becomes my-turn basketball."
Another reason why Butler could be the one to go is that he could bring in the most returns. Derrick Rose's trade value has plummeted and as an expiring contract, he becomes a low risk investment.
The Bulls could ride it out with Rose and see if he still has something left in the tank. They could re-sign him for a more reasonable amount as the market for point guards will be rich in 2017 with Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul all up for grabs (but whether they would leave their teams is another matter). Rose would not be the prime commodity.
Meanwhile, Real GM forum member "pipfan" had 10 possible trade scenarios involving Butler.
One of the more plausible ones would have the Lakers winning the draft lottery and trading Ben Simmons along with Nick Young for Jimmy Butler. It could also apply to any team who gets the chance to draft Simmons.
That seems fair as the Boston Celtics were rumored to have offered their unprotected pick from Brooklyn for him before the deadline, in this report from Boston Herald writer Steve Bulpett.
"According to one source who was linked to a player involved in the potential transaction, the Celtics were willing to give up two first-round draft picks this year, the unprotected pick from the Nets and Dallas' choice, which is protected if in the top seven."
The Nets pick was the Celtics chance to get Simmons, and it means they would be theoretically be willing to give up Simmons for Butler (although the pick being no.1 is by no means a certainty).
Another scenario: "If Philly gets the Laker pick at #4, Butler/Dunleavy for Noel, the #4 and the Miami pick."
This time, the pick is only 4th overall, but the Sixers could throw in Nerlens Noel, one of their two young centers. Noel could replace Joakim Noah's role as rim protector, if the latter leaves. The no.4 pick could be Kris Dunn.
Derrick Rose would not be able to bring back anything close to these young players.
