The headline of the NBA trade rumor mill is all about the Minnesota Timberwolves' pursuit of Jimmy Butler.
It's an interesting story of a mentor calling his protégé to join him. Coach Tom Thibodeau wants the player that he developed with the Chicago Bulls traded to his new team but are they willing to pay the price?
Apparently, the Bulls will continue to drive up the price, perhaps to unrealistic levels. They would want 2015 Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins in return and CBS had their take via James Herbert.
"As great as Butler is, he was born in 1989 and Wiggins was born in 1995. There is no reason for the Wolves to trade Wiggins, who just finished his second season in the league and is on the same developmental track as Karl-Anthony Towns. They want to let those two grow into the best duo in the NBA."
On this end, ESPN Insider Chad Ford had suggested an alternative trade that the Bulls should probably consider.
In the proposal, the Minnesota Timberwolves will send the no.5 pick, Zach Lavine, Gorgui Dieng and center Nikola Pekovic.
"Getting the No. 5 pick -- they really covet Dunn -- along with LaVine and Dieng, to go along with their own No. 14 pick, would allow the Bulls to start the rebuild process quickly," Ford reasoned.
Taking the two big men will fill the void that in the frontline, since it's anticipated that both Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah are leaving the Windy City. Zach Lavine has been making the transition to point guard, but he could be the starting guard alongside Derrick Rose at the start of the season.
That is, assuming they Bulls would still hold on to Rose. If they get the 5th pick the probable candidate for them is Kris Dunn, (unless the Celtics take him at no.3)who has drawn comparisons with John Wall. Dunn and Lavine are athletic guards who fit the mold of a Hoiball offense.
Speaking of the Celtics, Ford acknowledged that Boston can assemble a better package if they wish to do so. They have the no.3 pick (virtually assures them of taking Dunn) and Marcus Smart or even Jae Crowder if they really want Butler.