Chicago Bulls NBA Trade Rumors: Jimmy Butler Reportedly Staying Put in Chicago Unless the Bulls Get a Huge Offer
Right now, teams are scrambling to pull off deals before the trade deadline. A number of players will change teams before the dust settles, but Chicago Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler may not be going anywhere.
K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune has reported that the Bulls have informed teams that they were not planning to trade Butler. Interestingly, Johnson also said the Boston Celtics might get the Bulls to listen to their offer if they decide to dangle the 2017 first-round draft pick they got from the Brooklyn Nets as trade bait.
So far, the Celtics have been reluctant to part with the pick because it might be a top-three selection. That's a very valuable pick because they might end up selecting either Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball in the draft. Scouts believed those two have the potential to be star point guards in the league. Some have suggested that the Bulls could protect the Nets' picks in trades, but the Bulls might not like that.
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The Bulls may be listening to offers, but they are not actively shopping Butler. But the same can't be said for his teammates because ESPN's Brian Windhorst has reported that everybody else on the Bulls' roster was available for trade. He also said the team would only consider trading Butler if they get a "premium offer."
While the trade talks continue to heat up, Butler has made it known that he prefers to stay in Chicago. "Hopefully I'm not going to get traded but I don't know. I don't control that," Butler said in an interview with CSN Chicago. "Not saying I'm untradeable but I don't think about that. If I'm not in a Bulls uniform, I'll give you a hug and say goodbye to you," he continued.
A lot can still happen before the trade deadline, but the Bulls will never consider trading Butler unless someone puts together an offer they can't refuse.
