The Chicago Bulls could be ready to move on from Jimmy Butler this summer, and one fitting replacement would be Miami Heat's Gerald Green.
There is a strong possibility the Bulls will not make the playoffs this year, with the team sitting at ninth place 2.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons. If Chicago miss the postseason for the first-time in eight consecutive seasons, the team could head into an immediate rebuild, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.
Kyler noted that the Bulls could potentially use Butler as a trade chip as part of their possible roster overhaul this summer. While Chicago have been insistent about keeping Butler, which was evident prior to the Feb. 18 trade deadline, the Marquette product seems to have the biggest value in return.
"However, there is a growing sense among rival executives that the Bulls for the first time in a while may turn to the trade market to try to correct some of the imbalances and get Hoiberg better fitting pieces," Kyler wrote.
"There is no doubting that Butler may be the best trade chip the Bulls have and that if they want to seriously change the future of the team, moving Butler could and likely would return the biggest value."
Considering that the Bulls really intend to move Butler in the offseason, Chicago may find themselves an instant replacement for their All-Star once the free agency market opens. According to Michael Kanoy of Sports Illustrated's Fansided, that player could be Green, the Heat's explosive scoring guard/forward.
Kanoy claimed that the 30-year-old Green presents as a fitting replacement for Butler, as well as a suitable inclusion in Fred Hoiberg's new pieces heading into next season.
"He may already be a 30-year-old veteran, yet he plays with the same motor and energy as 21-year-old Bobby Portis. Best of all, Green can score like a starter against weaker teams and hold his own on offense against stronger NBA teams," Kanoy wrote.
Green, who averages 9.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, only signed a one year contract with the Heat last summer worth around $1.3 million. The former Slam Dunk champion is set to hit free agency, and is expected to receive lucrative offers from NBA rivals.
Green would have the chance to be the Bulls' top option at the wing position, but his age is something Chicago should consider. While the eight-year NBA veteran could score on his own, Green is viewed more as a key player rather than a superstar, who could carry a team during crunch time.
He would be a good acquisition, but not a viable option to take over Butler's place.