The Jimmy Butler sweepstakes just became even more interesting.
The Chicago Bulls swingman has been the subject of multiple trade rumors this offseason, and many Boston Celtics fans are dreaming of seeing Butler in green, especially after his draft lottery meeting with Isaiah Thomas. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves might have a say in where Butler ends up before all is said and done.
The Timberwolves are willing to part with the No. 5 pick in this year’s draft if they can use it in a package to get Butler from the Bulls, league sources told ESPN’s Marc Stein and Chad Ford on Monday.
If the two sides can strike a deal, that means Timberwolves coach and president Tom Thibodeau will be reunited with Butler in Minnesota.
But there are multiple hurdles still standing in the way. The No. 5 pick alone won’t be enough, and ESPN points out that the Bulls aren’t actively looking to trade Butler. But Stein and Ford’s sources said the Bulls are interested in Providence College guard Kris Dunn, who might be a top-five pick.
Butler averaged 20.9 points per game in 67 contests during the 2015-16 season, and he was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2014-15 campaign. He just completed the first year of his five-year, $90 million-plus contract he signed with the Bulls in 2015.
Thumbnail photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images
