Chicago Bulls news: Is there a Jimmy Butler, Tom Thibodeau reunion brewing?
As the NBA Draft draws near, the most popular figure in the league is Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler. A number of suitors are vying for him. The latest is Tom Thibodeau and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
For a team that barely qualified for the playoffs and exited early, the Chicago Bulls sure are popular. As the NBA Draft draws near, the most popular figure around the league is Jimmy Butler. The Bulls indicated that Butler could be had for a high price, and some teams appear willing to pay it.
The frontrunner to acquire Butler is still the team from Boston, the Celtics. They have the most pieces to attract a deal. They have seven first-round picks over the next three drafts. Those picks could definitely speed up a rebuild that should happen in Chicago.
However, the Celtics aren’t the only team pursuing Butler. Reports also linked the Cleveland Cavaliers to Butler. Additionally, the Minnesota Timberwolves showed interest.
Sources: Chicago’s price for Jimmy Butler remains elevated, but Minnesota has assets and interest. Sides made preliminary contact this week.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 19, 2017
The Timberwolves have the seventh pick in Thursday’s draft. They also have some young players who may be attractive to the Bulls.
The Timberwolves also have one Tom Thibodeau.
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Thibodeau was Butler’s first coach for his first four seasons when he was the Bulls’ head coach. Butler loves Thibodeau and the feeling is mutual. Thibodeau works his players hard, and Butler loves that. In fact, he criticized current Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg for being too soft.
A reunion with Butler would help Thibodeau’s rebuild in Minnesota. He’d also have a player he can trust completely on the court.
While the Timberwolves trade is intriguing, it would still take a lot for them to leapfrog the Celtics. Seven first-round picks, including a lottery pick this year and a likely lottery pick next season (the Celtics own the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first-round pick) are difficult to ignore. Yes, trading for young talent that already showed what they could do in the NBA is great, but there are some very good players coming out of college and the Bulls put themselves in the middle of all that talent with this deal.
The Bulls continually say Butler isn’t on the trade block but they also say they need to keep their options open. Team vice-president of basketball operations John Paxson spoke about that recently.
"He’s become such a good player, and he’s trying very hard to be a good leader for this organization. He represents us very, very well. We have an obligation — this is what’s very difficult — we have an obligation as an organization to always keep your mind open. If somebody came to you and offered you some unbelievable deal, you’d have to look at it. But that’s not a knock on the player and that’s not saying you’re not committed to him. That’s just being realistic in this business, keeping your options open."
Next: Boston wants to work a deal for Jimmy Butler
If the Bulls are serious about rebuilding a title contender, Jimmy Butler may need to be sacrificed. The team as constructed won’t contend for anything for the foreseeable future. Saying goodbye to Butler would hurt but in the future, we’ll feel better about it.