The Jimmy Butler trade rumors never seem to die. However this time, the rumors look to be about is realistic as they’ve ever been, as the Bulls are reportedly involved in a three-time trade involving the Celtics, 76ers, and a butt-load of picks.
Hearing this could wind up being a 3-team trade between Philadelphia-Boston-Chicago including Butler, Okafor and lots of picks https://t.co/D6QcLkFRZZ
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) June 17, 2017
From what I have been able to gather from Twitter, the 76ers are vying for the Celtics No. 1 overall pick to draft Washington PG Markelle Fultz, while the Celtics would move back to the No. 3 overall pick to take Josh Jackson and acquire picks that Philadelphia received from the Lakers, including an extremely valuable unprotected 2018 1st round pick.
Discussions have centered on Sixers sending 2017 No. 3, 2018 Lakers pick, and possibly 2021 1st — including complicated protections. https://t.co/LwswzXyCzf
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 17, 2017
Of course, this adds another level of excitement to the NBA draft talk, but how does this impact Bulls? Well, the Bulls are apparently interested in Philly Forward, and Chicago-native, Jahlil Okafor and the potential to acquire multiple picks in future drafts. The cost would be one Jimmy Butler, who would be finally heading to Boston after what seems like almost two years of rumors saying he would land in B-town.
The Bulls have been spiraling towards mediocrity and further since the fall of Derrick Rose and the ascension of now super-star Jimmy Butler. A hard-working, two-way player like Butler are nearly impossible to find – especially considering where the Bulls draft Butler at.
However, the real question is, can the Bulls get adequate value for Jimmy Butler in any trade? And will the Bulls management allow this team to actually be bad enough to be in the conversation for the No. 1 pick next season? Because if the answer is no to any of those, the Bulls will hold on to Butler until the end of time, or until his contract is up in Chicago – whichever comes first.
While, nothing has been confirmed about the Bulls being seriously involved in this deal, it looks like Boston and Philadelphia are just waiting for Fultz’ workout to all but solidify this deal.
Word out of Boston is that #Sixers and #Cetlics may come to an agreement but trade won't be done until draft night.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) June 17, 2017
Sources: The plan's for Markelle Fultz's visit to Philadelphia today to clear way toward finalizing a deal with Boston for No. 1 pick.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 17, 2017
Markelle Faultz has just arrived in Camden for his Sixers workout
— Bob Cooney (@BobCooney76) June 17, 2017
Even Joel Embiid is a believer.
Trust The Process pic.twitter.com/LLNzDiBWpc
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 17, 2017
The other part of this deal is the Lakers 2018 and 2021 picks that 76ers have control of, as the Celtics are trying to acquire both of these picks unprotected, which could be why the Bulls are being linked to this deal as a third team. The Sixers might be able to get one of the picks to be protected if they are helping the Celtics add a bonafide superstar in Jimmy Butler. Or the Celtics could just want their cake and to eat it too.
Of course, there are some skeptics out there who believe the Bulls being involved in this deal seems a bit far-fetched.
Reason I’m skeptical Bulls/Butler are involved in these trade talks: at that point, why wouldn’t they just do Butler for #1 straight up?
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) June 17, 2017
Highkin also pointed out that the Bulls initial interest in Okafor at the trade deadline last March was “overblown”, leading to more interesting drama surrounding this Bulls team. Sadly, we will not know what is happening until draft night, as both the Cetlics and 76ers will not make the move official until then.
While these rumors are just that – rumors. I wouldn’t go out and buy any Jimmy Butler Bulls jerseys for Lollapalooza quite yet.
UPDATE – 8:47 pm, June 17th.
,@MarkelleF works out for #76ers. Source now says trade could happen as early as Monday. https://t.co/MInXiwcfau via @phillysport
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) June 18, 2017
Word from Sixer’s camp is that Fultz workout was not the greatest, but that trade talk is still heating up between the Cetlics and 76ers, and the talks are not reportedly including the Bulls. So, it looks as if Jimmy Butler is safe in Chicago for the time being.
Update: 6/18, 12:15 pm
Breaking: Sources say Celtics and 76ers have agreed in principle trade picks in the NBA draft. Philly plans to take Markelle Fultz at No. 1. pic.twitter.com/eh3ACk2ZIi
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 18, 2017
With the deal official as of Monday, the Bulls are currently not involved in the deal, however people are speculating that Jimmy Butler could still be traded to Boston with Celtics GM Danny Ainge using the pick he acquired from the Sixers and some of the Cetlics banked future draft picks from the Nets.
