Can Chicago Bulls use Jimmy Butler trade to get rid of Dwyane Wade?
If the Chicago Bulls trade Jimmy Butler, can they also find a way to get rid of Dwyane Wade’s remaining contract?
Whether the Chicago Bulls decide to trade him or not, Jimmy Butler trade rumors are popping up all over the place. As per usual, the Boston Celtics appear to have some interest. As does our old friend Tom Thibodeau and the Minnesota Timberwolves, division-rival Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns.
Make no mistake about it, there is plenty of interest surrounding Wade throughout the league. However, will John Paxson and Gar Forman find a deal that is suitable to them? GarPax should set the price high on Butler, he is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. However, they also have to be realistic about their situation. The Chicago Bulls are not anything close to a championship contender, with or without Butler.
However, they also have to be realistic about their situation. The Chicago Bulls are not anything close to a championship contender, with or without Butler. Trading Butler would jump-start a much-needed rebuild. As their only real trade asset, trading Butler for long-term pieces is really the only wise plan of attack for the Bulls.
Getting proper long-term assets in exchange for Butler is obviously the most important part of any Butler trade. That being said, can the Bulls use said Butler trade to also get rid of an ugly contract? Dwyane Wade immediately comes to mind when it comes to this.
The idea of using a Butler trade to get Wade and his $23.8 million salary for next season off of the books makes sense. I am sure it has been floated as a possibility before, but I personally realized it as an idea in this proposed trade from Ben Belden on Twitter:
With David Griffin now out in Cleveland, any Butler to Cleveland trade is probably less likely. However, we all know that LeBron James is really calling the shots there and this is a deal that could make some sense.
The Cavs get Butler and take on Wade’s salary. The Cavs would love to bring in Butler for obvious reasons, but LeBron would undoubtedly love to play with one of his best friends in Wade again. Cleveland is far and away the most obvious landing spot for Wade in any sort of deal.
Kevin Love heads to Phoenix here, along with Richard Jefferson, and the Suns send the Bulls point guard Eric Bledsoe and young forward Dragan Bender, both strong long-term pieces to add to the mix. The Bulls also land Iman Shumpert to help even out the salaries.
Next: Bulls' NBA Draft targets if they trade Butler for No. 3
In a vacuum, this return for Butler seems a little light. I imagine that the Bulls would insist on some sort of first-round pick to be coming their way as well. That being said, Wade being inserted in this trade needs to be looked at as a major positive for the Bulls as well.
If the Chicago Bulls trade Jimmy Butler, there is no reason for Dwyane Wade to be on this roster. If they can use such a trade to get rid of his contract, the Bulls’ front office would be wise to do so.