NBA Trade Rumors: Jimmy Butler will reportedly be traded “very soon” to either the Boston Celtics or Cleveland Cavaliers
For the past couple of seasons, we’ve heard more than a handful of trade rumors involving Jimmy Butler and the Chicago Bulls. And every team, those reported rumors were quickly shot down.
Now, however, it appears that there’s at least some substance to the most recent version of those.
It was first reported yesterday by ESPN and The Vertical that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves were interested in firing up trade talks with the Bulls centered around Jimmy Butler.
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Now it’s being reported by CSN Chicago that Butler will be traded. And it’s either going to be to Boston or Cleveland, who are the reported favorites in the clubhouse behind the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets.
"[via CSN Chicago]The Boston Celtics have always been fond of Butler and have the assets the Bulls in theory would be attracted to in terms of multiple draft picks and affordable contracts on the current roster. The Cleveland Cavaliers seemed to be on the Bulls’ doorstep before abruptly ending their partnership with GM David Griffin Monday evening.On the surface they would appear to be the favorites as the Phoenix Suns have been “doing due diligence,” according to league sources. And the Denver Nuggets were on the periphery at the trade deadline, acquiring about Butler.As one league executive texted last night, “It’s either Boston or Cleveland but he’s going.”"
If this report is accurate, the Celtics should be able to come away with the better offer between the two teams – even if Cleveland finds a third team to play ball with. They simply have more assets that the Cavs, and probably any other team in the NBA.
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This is a bidding war that Danny Ainge can’t afford to lose. He’s collected all those assets for this precise moment. And losing a bidding war to a team without a general manager at the moment and the team that they’re trying to unseat in the Eastern Conference would be quite demoralizing.