NBA Trade Rumors: Wolves Eyeing Jimmy Butler; Could Use No. 5 Pick

NBA Trade Rumors: The Minnesota Timberwolves are eyeing a trade for Jimmy Butler; plan on using 5th overall pick to sweeten trade offer

Equipped with a myriad of assets, the Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly ready to make their move. Not up the draft, but up the NBA standings.

And they plan on accomplishing that by acquiring a veteran star in order to lead their group of budding young stars to the next level. With a new leader in place, Tom Thibodeau, the Wolves could really be one piece away from being, at the very least, a playoff team next season.

Depending on how much Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins develop this summer, they could be more.

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First things first, the Wolves need their established star. That’s where the Chicago Bulls come in. According to ESPN, the Wolves are ready to use their No. 5 overall pick as a sweetener in order to acquire Jimmy Butler from Chicago.

Whether or not the Bulls are ready to part ways with Butler remains to be seen. Either way, if the Wolves are able to put-together a package that is even worth weighing, this could get interesting.

"[via ESPN]The Minnesota Timberwolves are prepared to part with the No. 5 overall pick in this month’s draft, as the centerpiece of a trade package, if they can use it to construct a deal for Chicago Bulls star swingman Jimmy Butler, according to league sources….The No. 5 pick alone clearly wouldn’t be sufficient to pry Butler from the Bulls, but Minnesota’s own cache of trade assets — given the various up-and-coming players on its roster — would theoretically enable the Wolves to either deal with Chicago directly or assemble a multi-team trade scenario."

I’m not sure what exactly the Wolves would be willing to send away in such hypothetical trade, but you’d have to think that conversation starts with Zach LaVine. The back-to-back NBA Dunk Champion would have to be involved in any hypothetical deal.

LaVine has improved in every year of his short career and has shown glimpses of excellence when given the opportunity. Question is, are the Bulls willing to bet on those glimpses? That’d be mighty tough.

Thus, that wouldn’t be the only thing Chicago would ask for. Expect more future draft picks and potentially another young piece to be involved, if this trade would ever come to fruition.

Heck, if I’m the Bulls I’d start the conversation by asking for Wiggins.

must read: Celtics Pushing Hard To Move 3rd Overall Pick For Difference Maker

It’s really going to come down to how much the Wolves are willing to give up. However, Kris Dunn (assuming he’s there at No. 5), Zach LaVine and a couple of future first-round picks isn’t a bad start.

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