Jimmy Butler (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Atlanta Hawks could be a potential landing spot for Jimmy Butler if the Chicago Bulls revisit trade talks involving the two-time All-Star.
Trade rumors surrounding Butler seem to have ended after the Bulls successfully added two veteran All-Stars in their roster this summer. But according to Tyler Sellers of Sports Illustrated's Fansided, the Bulls could still be a team to look out in the trade market, with Butler as trade bait once again.
Sellers, citing reports from Steve Rosenbloom of The Chicago Tribune, believes the Bulls, despite efforts on keeping hold of Butler this offseason, could still trade the 26-year-old small forward.
Teams like the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves were linked to Butler prior to draft night, but failed to finalize any deal with the Bulls. While nothing came into fruition, Sellers still expect Butler to become available, with the Atlanta Hawks as the potential suitor.
"It would be awesome for the Hawks to acquire Butler," Sellers wrote.
"If the Chicago Bulls are in the mood to get quality young, athletic talents in return, the Hawks would seem to be an ideal trade partner. By drafting Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry, Hawks president Mike Budenholzer has two solid prospects with high upside."
The Bulls have a talented point guard in Rondo and a veteran scorer in Wade, but both stars need the ball in their hands most of the times to play effectively. That does not bode well to Butler, who, likewise, operates effectively on heavy isolation offense.
Butler would provide the Hawks another All-Star to pair with Dwight Howard, giving added depth at the wing position. Butler, who averaged 20.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season, would also become a tremendous scoring option for the Hawks and a force to reckon with playing alongside Kent Bazemore.
In Sellers' trade scenario, the Hawks would send DeAndre Bembry, Taurean Prince, Paul Millsap and a 2017 first round draft pick to the Bulls for Butler.
"I believe that there isn't a price too high to trade for a star like Butler, especially since he would be under the Hawks control through the 2020 season. A package of Millsap, Prince, Bembry and the 2017 first round pick would at the very least give them fair compensation for the gold medalist," Sellers wrote.
Millsap has also been linked to trade rumors this offseason in what was a desperate attempt by the Hawks to retain Al Horford. While speculations about Millsap's future seem to have gone at this point, it is something the Hawks may want to reconsider, especially to a deal involving Butler.
Millsap, who averaged 17.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game for the Hawks, would be an ideal acquisition for the Bulls, who have lost frontcourt key players to free agency this summer. Millsap's playmaking skills would also see him a fitting piece to fill the void left by Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah.
On the other hand, it is also worth noting that the Bulls that Rondo and Wade could leave Chicago next summer. Rondo's contract is partially guaranteed next season, while Wade has a player option. Acquiring rookie scale contracts of Bembry and Prince, plus a draft pick, would secure the Bulls pieces essential for a quick rebuild.
It is unclear whether the Hawks are interested in trading for Butler and give up too many assets to acquire the Olympic Gold Medalist. Likewise, the Bulls have yet to show signs they plan on gauging the trade market for Butler again. But such deal would be a win-win situation for both teams that are looking to be contenders in the East.
