http://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/...bulls-multi-team-trade-scenarios-jimmy-butler Sources told ESPN that the Cavaliers, in addition to their reported interest in Indiana's Paul George, are trying to assemble trade packages that would convince the Bulls to part with Butler, who is fresh off the best season of his career. It's believed that the Cavaliers, by offering All-Star forward Kevin Love, would try to recruit a third team that could supply the sort of young player and top draft picks sure to be more appealing to Chicago than the limited trade assets on Cleveland's veteran-laden roster. The Boston Celtics also have a longstanding interest in Butler and potentially possess seven first-round picks in the next three drafts to pitch to the Bulls after Boston's trade with Philadelphia on Monday that swapped the No. 1 and 3 overall picks in Thursday night's draft. Butler, if he stays in Chicago, would be eligible for a so-called "super max" contract extension exceeding $200 million in the summer of 2018 if he earns an All-NBA berth next season as he did this season. But sources say that the Bulls, as expected, are getting trade calls on Butler and could be moved to try to schedule meetings this week with top-tier draft prospects such as Duke's Jayson Tatum and Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox if talks get serious.
give the ball to Jimmy Butler 10 times and give the ball to Kevin love 10 times. One on one I bet Jimmy Butler scores an average of 4-5 times and Kevin Love throws the ball over the back board 4-5 times. that right there is a valuable skill. Sure in the playoffs jimmy would not be as efficient, but he is still decent. his mid range game and driving game is there. he is the perfect 3 and d player because of his offensive ability. the special thing about Kevin love is he is a big man who can shoot three pointers and grab some rebounds. he is a terrible defender and provides no rim protection. if his one on one defense was OK then i would agree with you, but its not. when teams go small on him he can't make them pay in the post or on the boards, heck Ryan Anderson is a better post scorer than him. he gets his rebounds by playing smart, boxing out and positioning. not by dominating. this is why teams can go small on him.
butler is easily worth a top 5 or a top 10 and another lottery pick. kevin love is worth possibly a lottery pick and a second rounder.
Lol the Bulls know that Butler will probably leave after all the **** he went through with the front office...
How? He's under contract for 3 more years. He's also a HELL of a lot cheaper than Kevin Love, so I don't see how this deal happens. Butler's salary next 3 years: $18 million, $19 million, $19 million Love's salary next 3 years: $22 million, $24 million, $25 million
It may be totally conceivable that the Cavs are intentionally floating these rumors that a 3rd team is ready to facilitate a deal for Butler in order to drive up the price on Ainge. And the Bulls have every reason to do this as well in order to get a better deal. So the Cavs & Bulls just need to collude with rumors to make sure Ainge pays top dollar. The Celtics have the assets to get Butler plus one of Porizingis / George / Griffin and even maybe Davis at fair value rates. Its in the Cavs interest to at least make sure they only get 1.
How? As a free agent when he'll expire in a couple of years. That's why they're looking to trade him now that he's still locked on more years, he has great value as today, if they wait till his last year they'll get a lot less back in a trade.
That only works if Ainge believes the rumors. Currently, they sound implausible. When a rumor comes along in which every team involved is getting reasonable value, that's when Ainge would feel pressure. I doubt that happens, since the basic fact is that Love isn't in the same ballpark of value as Butler and no amount of added teams to the deal changes that simple math. An added team can change the shape of the value each team gets, but it can't improve the value of Love.
He'd lose a ton of money by walking, and a lot can change in 3 years. 3 years ago Lebron was still with the Heat, the Warriors got bounced in round 1, the Bucks won 15 games, etc. A lot changes in 3 years including Butler forgetting about the past. It seems unlikely the Bulls are projecting a fear of him walking this far out. If they trade him its because they want to go in a different direction all together and get a good offer, not because they are worried of him leaving and want to maximize value.
Butler doesn't have 3 more years in hsi contract. If I'm not wrong his last year is a player option. On one hand GarPax have been brutal to how they treat their players on the other hand Reinsdorf will NOT want to pay him a supermax. But I still dont' think they trade him yet and lose their playoff revenue. Maybe next year. It's typical Bulls FO behaviour to talk and not trade in the end.
True, however it is conceivable the Suns might want Love and are willing to part with some assets that Chicago would want for Butler (Chriss / Warren + #4 pick and maybe another asset). They're owned by a moron in Sarver who may be sick of losing and see's a chance to bring in a 25 ppg player finally to pair with Booker and they have a reasonable chance at making the playoffs. Suns haven't made the playoffs in 7 years now.
Dwyane Wade leaning toward $24 million option for next season Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade is leaning toward picking up his $24 million player option to remain with the team next season, league sources told ESPN.com. While Wade is monitoring the situation with Jimmy Butler and how the Bulls approach this week's NBA draft, sources indicated that he's leaning toward picking up his player option regardless of what the Bulls do in the next week. Wade has come to enjoy Chicago and playing in his hometown. He also is unlikely to command an annual salary in that range anywhere else, and after sacrificing to take less in Miami for several years, sources said Wade is unlikely to do so again in Chicago or elsewhere this season.
