Jimmy Butler and Jahlil Okafor (Photo : Getty Images)
The Chicago Bulls could be in play to acquire the Philadelphia 76ers' top pick and a promising young center in Jahlil Okafor, but at the expense of the team's rising star, according to the latest NBA rumors.
The Bulls are facing an uncertain future with Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah inclining to join another team in free agency. While Derrick Rose is still signed until the end of the 2016-2017 season, there is also uncertainty whether the All-Star point guard would want to stay in Chicago to chase an NBA title.
The only player seemingly secured with the Bulls for the next few years is Butler, who signed a five-year pact with Chicago last year worth $92.3 million. However, with the Bulls potentially losing their core players this summer, the team could consider an instant rebuild, which could start by trading for the 76ers' top pick in the 2016 NBA draft as suggested by Mark Schanowski of CSN Chicago.
"The front offices with the 76ers and Lakers have already expressed their desire to add All-Star caliber veterans to the roster instead of more young players. And, those teams also wound up with the top two picks in this year's draft. So why not explore what the Sixers and Lakers are willing to give up for a two-time All-Star like Jimmy Butler?" Schanowski wrote.
In Shanowski's trade scenario, the Bulls send Butler, Nikola Mirotic and the 14th pick to the 76ers for Okafor and the No. 1 pick. Such deal would give the Bulls an assurance to have a talented big man if Gasol and Noah really intend to bolt out of Chicago and also the chance to select the best player available in the draft whether it be Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram.
The 76ers already have three young big men drafted in the past three years, making the sense to trade one of them. Then there is also the need for Philly to instantly get back to their winning ways 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo committed to turn things around in the City of Brotherly Love.
"Now that we can put the word 'rebuilding' in the rearview mirror, this is about taking those proven steps toward creating and developing the right culture," Colangelo said, reports CSN Philly.
"Adding the right kind of pieces, bringing in the right talent to take incremental steps forward going into the future."
Butler would be a perfect addition for the 76ers if they are really serious about creating a winning culture within the organization. The 26-year-old small forward, who recorded a career-high 20.9 points per game during the regular season, would be an instant upgrade at the wing, moving Robert Covington to the bench.
On the other hand, the Bulls are reportedly aggressive in drafting a talented point guard in this year's draft as a possible replacement to Rose, who explores free agency in 2017, according to KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. With the No. 1 pick, the Bulls could certainly select the best available point guard, probably Kris Dunn or Buddy Hield, or they could still follow the trend of picking either Simmons or Ingram as No. 1 first overall.
Meanwhile, Okafor would be the next potential star the Bulls could nurture. Okafor had a remarkable performance on a losing team, averaging 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Under the helms of Fred Hoiberg, Okafor should see himself a main cog to fix the Bulls' offensive system.
The Bulls have already expressed their desire to keep Butler in Chicago, or more likely requiring a high-asking price for the two-time All-Star, although that was before they landed in the middle of the draft pecking order and the possibility of acquiring the 76ers' top pick. But if the Bulls decide to hit the reset button, a deal for the No. 1 pick is the best move to consider.
