[rQUOTEr]Sources: Wolves interested in trading No. 5 pick for Jimmy Butler The Minnesota Timberwolves are prepared to part with the No. 5 overall pick in this month's draft, as the centerpiece of a trade package, if they can use it to construct a deal for Chicago Bulls star swingman Jimmy Butler, according to league sources. Sources told ESPN.com that the Wolves, in these early days of the Tom Thibodeau Era, have made it known to the Bulls that they are strongly interested in dealing for Butler should Chicago elect to make him available. The Bulls are not believed to be actively looking to move their All-Star swingman but have been listening to pitches for Butler, sources said. Butler initially rose to prominence as a two-way force playing for Thibodeau, the Wolves' new coach and president. Sources say that the Bulls naturally would demand a significant amount in return to part with Butler, which likely translates to at least one front-line player in addition to a top lottery pick this month. The Boston Celtics, who hold the No 3 overall pick, are also known to have trade interest in Butler, while sources say that the Bulls are highly intrigued by Providence guard Kris Dunn, who is projected to be selected in the 3-to-5 range in the June 23 draft. The No. 5 pick alone clearly wouldn't be sufficient to pry Butler from the Bulls, but Minnesota's own cache of trade assets -- given the various up-and-coming players on its roster -- would theoretically enable the Wolves to either deal with Chicago directly or assemble a multi-team trade scenario. Signals from the Bulls and their Butler intentions, meanwhile, have been mixed. The club asked Butler to represent them on the dais at the May 17 draft lottery, but Bulls general manager Gar Forman -- after Chicago missed the playoffs -- did say shortly after the regular season ended that "we have to explore all options" when directly asked about Butler's future as a franchise cornerstone. Butler signed a five-year deal worth in excess of $90 million last summer shortly after winning NBA Most Improved Player honors for the 2014-15 season.[/rQUOTEr]
That would be a major coup if Minny can acquire Butler and reunite him with Thibs. Someone who publicly stated he wants to be coached very hard (extremely rare w/ today's crop of players) can show those young guys how to develop a strong work ethic. If this were to happen, good luck to opponents getting to 95 PPG.
If this goes through the Wolves are better than the Rockets Rubio Butler Wiggins ??? Towns and they have a decent bench
Does this mean the Bulls are officially folding shop this summer? With Noah and Gasol most likely leaving in free agency and Rose on his last leg or say last knee of his contract, the once mighty Bulls are headed back to the lottery board. The Jordan curse continues...
Seems like a pretty damn weak return for a young two way all star. 5th pick, LaVine and Dieng? I think the Suns or Celtics could come up with a better package. Suns have Booker, Warren, 4th and 13th pick. Celtics have 3rd and 16th, Smart, Olynyk etc.
Hope this isn't true. Minnesota is and always will be terrible. Jimmy and I are friends and went to Tomball together.
They always fold shop lol. Its because the owner isn't really a basketball fan he's a baseball fan, so he uses the bulls franchise as a cash cow to fuel his baseball team. He just happens to be really good at spotting and hiring excellent GMs who can create competitive teams with the limited resources he provides for the Bulls. Anyway if Minny is able to snag Butler somehow it would be a coup, I think Butler is amazing and I would rank him on par or even slightly better than Harden as an individual player, dude's an amazing 1-on-1 scorer and his defense is actually pretty good, he was guarding Lebron as well as anyone even with the size and weight difference. Having him on the Minny team for 5th pick+sweetener would mean a core of Rubio, Kat, Wiggns and Butler...not too shabby.