NBA Trade Deadline 2016: 10 players who are off limits

Not just because he will miss the next month or so with a knee injury, but All-Star shooting guard for the Chicago Bulls Jimmy Butler isn’t leaving the Windy City any time soon. In the last year, Butler has emerged as the face of the franchise that still has native son and former NBA MVP Derrick Rose as point guard on its roster.

In a league that is becoming increasingly point guard and power forward dominant, there is immense value in having an elite player at both shooting guard and small forward. When healthy, Butler is a top three shooting guard in the NBA that thrives on both ends of the floor.

Regardless of what the Bulls front office chooses to do with their roster or coaching staff to help the team get out of their recent funk (27-25 at the break, seventh in the East), moving Butler’s contract is a borderline insane concept, especially with him out until mid-March with a knee strain.

In essence, Butler is about as well-rounded of a player a general manager can find at the shooting guard position. Unless the Golden State Warriors really want Butler to play alongside Stephen Curry in the backcourt and are wanting to breakup the Splash Brothers for Klay Thompson straight up, the Bulls should wisely hang up the phone on any potential trade deadline deals involving Butler in 2016.

Next: 6. LeBron James