Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls puts up a shot past Spencer Hawes of the Charlotte Hornets on his way to a game-high 52 points at the United Center on January 2, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Hornets 118-111. (Photo : Getty Images/Jonathan Daniel)
Aside from the New York Knicks, the Chicago Bulls is the team lording over the NBA trade rumors.
All of its three stars, Rajon Rondo, Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade have all been involved in various NBA trade rumors. Wade was the latest to be sucked into the rabbit hole, as chronicled in this previous report. Jimmy Butler was a regular trade rumor name since last season and according to a local Chicago reporter, the talks are likely to resume.
From KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune: "There are rival executives who believe the Bulls and Celtics will rekindle trade talks centered on Jimmy Butler before the Feb. 23 deadline. The teams held serious talks in June, and the Celtics own the same assets - Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart, the Nets' first-round picks in 2017 and 2018 - the teams discussed then."
Johnson continued: "Butler could be in line for a five-year, roughly $230 million extension in 2018 that would begin in 2019-20 should he qualify for the designated player exception. Trading a player of Butler's stature typically takes place near the draft, when draft positions are known and projected picks slotted."
The Bulls may be tempted by the prospects in the 2017 NBA Draft. The buzz on Markelle Fultz of Washington is that he is a "can't miss" prospect-an athletic point guard who actually has great shooting. ESPN draft guru Chad Ford has named as a "future superstar" along the likes of John Wall, Blake Griffin, Anthony Davis and Andrew Wiggins among others.
Two players are seen in "tier one" of Ford's evaluation: Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball.
"Fultz's all-around game, athleticism and versatility make him a virtually can't-miss prospect. Ball's unique combination of size and court vision have some scouts comparing him to Jason Kidd with a jump shot," Ford said.
"I'm not sure there are superstars in this draft,"Ford quoted an anonymous GM. "I'm not sure I see the guy that turns around a franchise. But both Ball and Fultz have that potential. The position that they play and the lack of great, young point guards right now in the league give them that potential. They could really lead a new generation of big, multi-positional point guards."
The Bulls could trade Butler now for the Brooklyn Nets' pick swap. The Nets are dead last in the NBA and have the best chance (25%) to grab the first overall pick. The Bulls could ask for much more than the pick and have a strong chance to rebuild.
