Report: Rival GMs believe Celtics, Bulls to revisit Butler trade talks
The Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson reports rival general managers in the NBA believe the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls will rekindle trade talks regarding Jimmy Butler before the late February trade deadline. Per Johnson:
"The teams held serious talks in June, and the Celtics own the same assets — Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart, the Nets' first-round picks in 2017 and 2018 — the teams discussed then. Butler could be in line for a five-year, roughly $230 million extension in 2018 that would begin in 2019-20 should he qualify for the designated player exception. Trading a player of Butler's stature typically takes place near the draft, when draft positions are known and projected picks slotted. But last week's drama and a tough upcoming trip could change the direction of the season and generate internal debate anew."
The aforementioned drama - revolving around Rajon Rondo's comments and Dwyane Wade's reported disdain for practice (and insinuations he and Butler play "buddy ball" from other players) and awful record are definitely chafing at a team which surprised many early in the year, and we should take Jones seriously regarding those rival GMs. But those unnamed GMs are only voicing opinions about making phone calls you'd have to expect Danny, at least, to be making.
Try not to get too attached to this rumor (again), but it's certainly an interesting wrinkle on yet another recurrent trade rumbling, to say the least. Tomorrow, we'll give you a chance to weigh in on this latest round of Jimmy Buckets rumblings, but in the meantime, enjoy the Bulls' slow transformation into a tire fire.
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