While his name has come up in trade rumors all year, K.C Johnson of the Chicago Tribune says a Jimmy Butler trade is unlikely for the Bulls. The scribe recently answered questions about the swingman in a weekly mailbag post.
Of note is that Johnson reaffirms a reader suggestion that even if a deal did get made, it likely wouldn’t involve the oft-rumored Celtics. Ultimately, however, Johnson doesn’t see enough on any particular roster that would entice the Bulls to part with their best player.
Throughout the comprehensive piece, Johnson weighs in on all aspects of a possible Butler deal and how it would impact the organization. In 76 games for the Bulls this season, the 27-year-old posted career highs of 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game.
There’s more from the Central Division:
- The Bulls find themselves in a familiar place as last year, a CSN Chicago panel concluded. They contemplate trading Jimmy Butler but hesitate to pull the trigger on an underwhelming package.
- The Pistons will draft 12th in this summer’s NBA Draft, so Keith Langlois of the team’s official site has put together a rundown of the types of players who will likely be selected prior and thus not be available when Detroit is on the clock.
- The Pacers will work out Bryce Alford, Ike Anigbogu, Trevon Bluiett, Vince Edwards, Davon Reed and Trevor Thompson on Monday, the team announced on its official website.
- The Lakers aren’t likely to give up a lottery pick for a one-year Paul George rental, says Sam Smith of the Bulls official website, but the Pacers could potentially net Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell and a matching salary should they decide to pull the trigger. Smith adds that Larry Bird‘s exit indicates that the franchise is eager to fully embrace a rebuild.
Russell is better than one year of PG13. Randle has little value.
No thank you, I’d rather keep PG than get a crappy package from the Lakers.
Those guys are 21 years olds in 4 years it would look like a steel. What Russell and Randle (for that matter) are doing at their age projects out nicely into the future. Since they have been in the league they have only gotten better (even with a year under Scott that’s a miracle). Look at the jump porter just made in his 3rd year. Before this year you probably would have called him a bust but now he’s looking at maybe max money!! Both Russell and Randle should develop into solid NBA players. I could definitely see Russ becoming an all-star.
Besides the pacers are only keeping PG one more year anyways. No one is gonna give up much with all the LA talk. They would be lucky to get a package better than Randle and Clarkson for him. If they wait till the trade deadline just Clarkson.
who in their rite mind would take Russell and randle for PG this guy is the future of and franchise he plays 4…. and the pacers are not looking to rebuild… their putting people in place that want to put people around PG threw free agency!!!!