Do you think Jimmy Butler would look good in a Minnesota Timberwolves jersey?
Tom Thibodeau certainly does. Butler’s former coach with the Chicago Bulls, and current ‘Wolves coach and team president, is apparently interested in bringing the workaholic All-Star to his new roster, with ESPN’s Marc Stein reporting that Minnesota would be willing to part with the No. 5 overall pick to get Butler back.
The Bulls’ own view on Butler this summer is not entirely clear. While they are among the most trade-averse teams in the league, overall, they are at a strange crossroads after a wildly disappointing season, and general manager Gar Forman has said that all options are on the table. Despite this, it will probably take much more than just the No. 5 pick to get Butler out of Chicago, especially with Thibodeau — a man who the organization shares known bitterness with — making the offers. Expect the Bulls to try prying Andrew Wiggins or Karl-Anthony Towns from them, if discussions even get that far.
Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol are free agents this summer, and there’s a good chance both leave Chicago. The reset button has to be an option for the Bulls, but even then, wouldn’t the young and hard-working Butler be a sensible person to start over with? The team signaled their desire to continue working with him when they made him their Draft Lottery representative in May; perhaps a hollow gesture, perhaps not. Stay posted for more as this story develops.
(ESPN)
