No NBA player has been involved in more trade rumors over the last few months than Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler.
The chances of him moving before the 2016-17 NBA season commences appear to be slimming, though.
“Butler is off the market for now, per league sources, and it’s tempting to read Chicago’s all-in splash as an effort to maintain a winner around him,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe wrote Monday.
Butler was linked to several teams approaching, during and after last month’s NBA draft, including the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves, among others.
But as Lowe noted, Chicago’s recent moves indicate it might plan to contend next season rather than begin a retool or rebuild. In fairness to the Bulls, the Eastern Conference is one LeBron James injury from being wide open. There’s no clear No. 2 contender to the defending champion Cavs entering the new campaign.
Butler is signed for four more seasons, on a five-year, $95 million max contract he received with the Bulls in 2015. That contract situation makes Butler even more attractive to potential trade partners, in addition to his immense talent. Right now, though, it doesn’t seem like he’ll be leaving Chicago in the short term.
Thumbnail photo via Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports Images
