NBA trade rumors 2017: Bulls reportedly puts Jimmy Butler on the trading block
Chicago Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler is one of the best two-way players in the National Basketball Association (NBA) right now. Need someone to guard LeBron James? He's your man. Need someone to drop 52 points on the Charlotte Hornets? Just give him the ball and let him create. He's clearly the best player on the team, so it's a little surprising when reports started saying the Bulls have decided to put him on the trading block.
"League sources say that the team made it known weeks ago through back channels that shooting guard Jimmy Butler is available for the right price," Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher said in a video report.
According to Bucher, the Bulls weren't sold on Butler being their franchise player even after he signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the team. Bucher also revealed that Bull's general manager, Gar Forman, decided not to make a move earlier this season because of the hot start that the team had. However, the Bulls have cooled down since, so they think it's time to put Butler on the trade market.
A number of teams are clearly interested in acquiring a player with Butler's skills. Reports say the Boston Celtics are interested, and some pundits believe that the Lakers should give him a look.
Meanwhile, Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg refuses to comment on the rumors surrounding his star player, but he thinks Butler should just play on and keep his head down.
"James Harden don't have a price, Russell Westbrook don't have a price, LeBron James don't have a price. Steph Curry don't ... There's certain guys at this point, this moment, don't have a price," Bulls guard Dwayne Wade told CSN Chicago.
"It's a big market. It's the Bulls. Our best player is in a rumor right now," he stated. He went on to say that he thinks Butler was one of those players who were supposed to be untouchable. I think he's the cornerstone of this franchise. He's the reason I'm here. The reason we're winning games," Wade said. Unfortunately, Wade doesn't run the team, so he can't really do anything about it.