Former Marquette star and current Chicago Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler has been the subject of several trade scenarios as the NBA's "silly season" ramps up.
Trade rumors are commonplace ahead of the NBA Draft (already the Boston Celtics have traded the No. 1 pick, and the Los Angeles Lakers moved young point guard D'Angelo Russell), but Butler's name has been flying around the league in recent days.
Butler reportedly pushed for a trade earlier in the week, with Cleveland stars LeBron James and Kyrie Irving apparently making a pitch for Butler to join the Cavaliers.
However, that seems to have shifted, with another report surfacing that Butler wanted to stay in Chicago, and that Cleveland players were telling Butler to avoid the 'volatile situation' in Cleveland (the Cavs fired GM David Griffin this week).
Other teams are still pushing for the three-time NBA All-Star.
Sources: Chicago’s price for Jimmy Butler remains elevated, but Minnesota has assets and interest. Sides made preliminary contact this week.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 19, 2017
Minnesota's head coach Tom Thibodeau coached Butler for four seasons in Chicago. The TImberwolves and Bulls were reportedly close to a deal for Butler last summer, before trade talks ultimately fell through.
Chicago finished just 41-41 last year, despite Butler averaging 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. The Celtics defeated the Bulls in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
In other Marquette/Bulls news, fellow Golden Eagle and current Bulls guard Dwyane Wade informed team officials that he will pick up his $23.8 million option for 2017-18.
Wade, 35, posted 18.3 points per game last season in a career-low 29.9 minutes.
