Jimmy Butler and Jahlil Okafor (Photo : Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors continue and they still involve Jimmy Butler even though the Chicago Bulls have set a high price tag.
Butler is one of the league's best two way players and the rumors persist that he is on the trading block because of the reported power struggle in Chicago's locker room.
While the Bulls' front office has repeatedly denied Butler's availability and even designated him as the team's representative in the Draft lottery, most pundits believe that they just want to spike up the bidding war. Early last month, intel from the Celtics, courtesy of A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE gave an idea of the possible asking price for the All-Star guard.
"And while there was some thought that a top-3 pick coupled with a few decent players might be enough to entice the Bulls to pull the trigger on a deal to trade Butler, CSNNE.com has been told such an offer would have to include at least one 'legitimate, NBA starter' for the Bulls to even possibly consider trading him."
There could be a dark horse suitor for Butler's services. The Philadelphia 76ers will now transition from asset collection to actual contention under new GM Bryan Colangelo and the first thing they have to do is to streamline their roster.
Reports have stated that the Sixers are willing to trade both either or even both of their centers Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel to improve their team, presumably their backcourt.
In the team site Liberty Ballers, a post outlined the other teams' views on trades involving Philadelphia, not just limited to the two centers. The Chicago Bulls were one of the teams mentioned. The Bulls will presumably lose their twin towers, Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol.
Getting a sophomore center like Jahlil Okafor who hails from Chicago and made this year's All-Rookie team would be a treat for them. But will they part with Jimmy Butler? The post stated the following feedback from the Bulls blog.
"It seems they would want #1 and more for him (Butler), which I don't think many of us (Sixers fans) would be willing to do. However, they appear to want picks and would be willing to trade a few players on their roster for later 1sts."
If the Sixers offer Okafor, a legitimate starter and the ultimate pick (no.1 this year), that would be too much for the Bulls to refuse. The Sixers would hesitate to offer it and would at least ask for the 14th pick back.
This is purely a hypothetical exchange based on what the Bulls are reportedly asking for Butler. It's a big question mark for the Sixers who have coveted Simmons for so long.
