The OKC Thunder could be among the teams interested in acquiring Jimmy Butler, but may sit in the long line of suitors to avail the two-time All-Star's services.
The Thunder are in position to make the playoffs as they currently sit at No. 7 in the West. They have a significant six and a half game lead from teams battling out for the eighth seed, but the Thunder still evidently lack another scoring option who could help the team moving forward.
Finding another proven talent to play alongside Russell Westbrook can be difficult for OKC at this point. But with Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler reportedly available, according to Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report, the Thunder may have finally found someone who could fill the void left by Kevin Durant.
Butler is playing the best season of his career, averaging 25.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, while shooting 45.0 percent from the field. The 27-year-old forward is one of the premiere two-way wings in the league, and would check a number of boxes for the Thunder.
A star duo of Butler and Westbrook won't immediately guarantee a trip back to the Finals, but it would be a good start for the Thunder to retool and established themselves as legit title contenders.
Trading for Butler would also be too pricey for the Thunder, who only have very limited trade assets that could entice the Bulls. Nevertheless, the Bulls may have no such plans for entertaining offers for Butler, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
"Sources with knowledge of the Bulls' thinking emphatically deny the notion that All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler is available," Stein wrote.
Furthermore, Dan Feldman of NBC Sports noted that the CBA set to take effect in July could be a huge factor for the Bulls to keep their two-time All-Star in Chicago.
"The new veteran-designated-player rule could give the Bulls - and only the Bulls - a huge advantage in extending or resigning Butler. Those rights aren't transferred in a trade. They exist because Chicago drafted and kept him," Feldman wrote.
It remains to be seen whether the Thunder have any genuine interest in trading for Butler. But there is a growing sense the Bulls hold on to a talented player like Butler, giving OKC a very slim chance of acquiring another star.
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