The Minnesota Timberwolves may have a chance to trade for Chicago Bulls rising star Jimmy Butler using their top pick in this year's draft, but Minny may also lose a handful of their young backcourt talents, including Andrew Wiggins and Zach Lavine.
The Wolves could now be in play to make a blockbuster trade that would reunite Butler to Tom Thibodeau in Minnesota, with the team reportedly dangling their No. 5 pick to acquire the two-time All-Star forward from Windy City, according to ESPN's Marc Stein and Chad Ford.
"Sources told ESPN.com that the Wolves, in these early days of the Tom Thibodeau era, have made it known to the Bulls that they are strongly interested in dealing for Butler should Chicago elect to make him available," the report disclosed.
The Bulls have shown interest in trading up in the 2016 NBA draft in hopes to select a talented point guard who could be an assurance for Derrick Rose's impending free agency next year. While the Timberwolves' No. 5 pick would surely give the Bulls a chance to select Providence guard Kris Dunn, who is projected to selected in the 3 to 5 range, it is certain the pick is only the cherry-on-top for any deal involving Butler.
If Minnesota would include a player to sweeten up the trade package, Dana Gauruder of Hoops Rumors believes the likes of Wiggins and Lavine could be dangled at a potential deal.
"Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns would seemingly be untouchable but the Timberwolves have some other young talent to dangle, including Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio, Zach LaVine and Gorgui Dieng," Gauruder wrote.
Either between Wiggins and Lavine would be an enticing package for the Bulls, who attempts for a quick rebuild this season after missing the playoffs for the first time in seven years. However, KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune said that a source familiar with the Bulls' plans claimed Chicago would ask for Wiggins in any deals for Butler.
As for the Wolves, acquiring Butler would give them a legitimate star who would likely become effective under Thibodeau's helm in Minnesota. The two have worked together in Chicago for four seasons, when Butler was able to establish himself as the team's next big star. Thibs is expected to fully-utilize the Wolves' youngsters, and Butler could serve as the alpha male in the team's pack of young talents.
It remains to be seen whether the Wolves are really serious about bringing Butler in Minnesota, but if there is a genuine interest at the All-Star forward, Minny should expect stiff competition from other teams like the Boston Celtics, who are also in play to deal for Butler.