NBA Trade Rumors: Timberwolves acquire Jimmy Butler from the Bulls
Jimmy Butler is a hot topic as the NBA Draft talk goes along, and now it looks like the Timberwolves reportedly may be close to acquiring the Bulls superstar.
The Jimmy Butler trade rumors have been seemingly endless through the last few weeks, and they officially picked up steam as the Minnesota Timberwolves apparently closed a deal with the Bulls for the star guard.
Trade talks have been swirling all day Thursday, with the Denver Nuggets, the Phoenix Suns, and plenty of other teams looking at deals for the Bulls superstar. Nothing had met the Bulls’ expectations for a deal throughout the day, but they finally found something they like.
According to a report from ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Timberwolves were close to a deal for Butler as the draft started, and things apparently escalated rather quickly. According to K.C. Johnson, the Bulls sent Butler to the Timberwolves for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the seventh overall pick.
The Bulls are getting Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the 7th pick, per sources. Bulls keep 16th pick.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 22, 2017
The Timberwolves had some serious competition throughout the day as they look to acquire Butler, but they have something other teams do not. Former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is the current head coach for the Timberwolves, and may be a key piece to motivate Butler to want to go to Minnesota.
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Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins were already young stars for the Timberwolves at positions that Butler would’ve ended up, so the deal getting rid of LaVine makes sense. The Bulls get to keep their 16th pick in the deal, and get some solid young talents and a lottery pick in return for an expiring Butler contract.