It sure sounds like Butler is as good as gone...

[jpotter33]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2629150-jimmy-butler-trade-rumors-latest-news-speculation-on-bulls-star

So first you have the GM of the Bulls' comment earlier this offseason with regard to Butler:  "We have to explore all options. I don’t think anything’s off the table with the year we’ve had." Naturally, that comment wasn't taken too well by Butler: "That comment didn't sit well with Butler, sources said, merely adding to his growing wariness regarding Forman that stems from Butler feeling slighted during failed negotiations on his rookie extension."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2631574-joakim-noah-latest-news-rumors-speculation-on-stars-future-with-bulls

http://www.sportsrageous.com/rumors/nba-rumors-bulls-may-trade-butler-retain-joakim-noah-derrick-rose/19618/

Next, there's now rumors that Noah is going to be a top priority for the Bulls to resign this summer. This wouldn't be all that big of a deal in itself, except for the fact that there was noted tension between Noah and Butler this season with Noah reportedly egging on Butler a lot in his new leader role.

It certainly seems that Butler is going to be on the move this offseason, and with all this drama, it might not even end up being all that expensive to attain him. That works out perfectly for us with our search for a star and upgrade for our roster to entice free agents here.

[alldaboston]

I think we could buy low on him given these statements. It'd be great if we could.

[mahonedog88]

That franchise was a mess all season.  Didn't it get to the point where Butler was traveling separately from the team?  I thought I read somewhere that he was taking his own flights.

[celticmania]

Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart, Kelly Olynyk, Terry Rozier, RJ Hunter, 2018 Nets pick, 2016 Celtics pick, 2016 Mavs Pick for Jimmy Butler

[jpotter33]

Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart, Kelly Olynyk, Terry Rozier, RJ Hunter, 2018 Nets pick, 2016 Celtics pick, 2016 Mavs Pick for Jimmy Butler

That's a major overpay. You're not getting Crowder + Smart + a Brooklyn pick for Butler, let alone with KO, Rozier, and the Mavs pick, too.

[rondohondo]

Saw this on the chi tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-bulls-nba-draft-jimmy-butler-spt-0508-20160507-story.html

But in the Bulls' early organizational meetings to shape offseason strategy, little changed from the February trade deadline regarding Butler, sources said. That means it would take a significant offer involving at least one high-profile player and multiple first-round picks to pry him loose.

The Celtics offered an underwhelming package for Butler centered on reserves and picks in February.

Coincidentally, with Rose entering the final year of his contract, the Bulls are targeting a point guard aggressively in the draft for the second straight year.

Sounds like Bulls are looking for a pg

so a package would likely cost Smart and pick 3 or lower , do you do it?

[Who]

I wonder if Houston would trade Harden for J.Butler ... just to get away from all the drama with Harden. The poor leadership, inability to work well with his teammates and refusal to play with effort on defense. Go for the solid reliability of Butler instead.

[jpotter33]

Saw this on the chi tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-bulls-nba-draft-jimmy-butler-spt-0508-20160507-story.html

But in the Bulls' early organizational meetings to shape offseason strategy, little changed from the February trade deadline regarding Butler, sources said. That means it would take a significant offer involving at least one high-profile player and multiple first-round picks to pry him loose.

The Celtics offered an underwhelming package for Butler centered on reserves and picks in February.

Coincidentally, with Rose entering the final year of his contract, the Bulls are targeting a point guard aggressively in the draft for the second straight year.

Sounds like Bulls are looking for a pg

so a package would likely cost Smart and pick 3 or lower , do you do it?

Or Rozier. They wanted Rozier in last year's draft. I'd rather build a package around Crowder and Rozier or Bradley and Rozier than Smart, even if it cost us the Brooklyn pick this year.

[jpotter33]

I wonder if Houston would trade Harden for J.Butler ... just to get away from all the drama with Harden. The poor leadership, inability to work well with his teammates and refusal to play with effort on defense. Go for the solid reliability of Butler instead.

As bad and controversial as he's been, I still think Houston considers him untouchable for all but a Godfather offer for him.

[alldaboston]

Saw this on the chi tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-bulls-nba-draft-jimmy-butler-spt-0508-20160507-story.html

But in the Bulls' early organizational meetings to shape offseason strategy, little changed from the February trade deadline regarding Butler, sources said. That means it would take a significant offer involving at least one high-profile player and multiple first-round picks to pry him loose.

The Celtics offered an underwhelming package for Butler centered on reserves and picks in February.

Coincidentally, with Rose entering the final year of his contract, the Bulls are targeting a point guard aggressively in the draft for the second straight year.

Sounds like Bulls are looking for a pg

so a package would likely cost Smart and pick 3 or lower , do you do it?

Or Rozier. They wanted Rozier in last year's draft. I'd rather build a package around Crowder and Rozier or Bradley and Rozier than Smart, even if it cost us the Brooklyn pick this year.

That's exactly what I was thinking too

[MJohnnyboy]

Right now it's one of those situations where we'll have to know two specific things for sure in the coming days when it comes to trading for Butler:

1. Where the Celtics pick will land
2. What the Bulls would want for Butler

You put Smart and this years Brooklyn pick on the table and the Bulls start talking but who knows what else they would want.

[jdub1660]

Sign/trade Sullinger (10-12m) and Crowder plus a pick for Butler and Carol

Isaiah, Bradley, Butler, Jerebko, Gasol/Horford(free agent signing)

I truly believe this lineup could win the East and challenge the West top teams. Given the small ball game era, Jerebko would compliment more starting next to a true big like Pau and Horford.

[rondohondo]

Sign/trade Sullinger (10-12m) and Crowder plus a pick for Butler and Carol

Isaiah, Bradley, Butler, Jerebko, Gasol/Horford(free agent signing)

I truly believe this lineup could win the East and challenge the West top teams. Given the small ball game era, Jerebko would compliment more starting next to a true big like Pau and Horford.

that's just not going to happen , you have to give up some value to get it back in a trade .

[alldaboston]

Sign/trade Sullinger (10-12m) and Crowder plus a pick for Butler and Carol

Isaiah, Bradley, Butler, Jerebko, Gasol/Horford(free agent signing)

I truly believe this lineup could win the East and challenge the West top teams. Given the small ball game era, Jerebko would compliment more starting next to a true big like Pau and Horford.

that's just not going to happen , you have to give up some value to get it back in a trade .

Bulls fans kinda like sully though...it's hard to believe, I know

[jdub1660]

If that's a top 3 pick, I don't see how the trade isnt fair, especially given the Bulls likely in denial restart mode with aged injured Noah and Rose.