The Chicago Bulls Pretty Much Give Away Jimmy Butler
The Chicago Bulls were a dysfunctional mess for most of the 2016-17 NBA season.
Despite their best instincts, they did somehow sneak into the playoffs as the eighth seed, which was more a by-product of being a member of the woeful Eastern Conference.
The Bulls' front office has made some mystifying moves in recent years, but they may have just topped themselves with this masterpiece.
Yes, Jimmy Butler has finally been traded, after years of speculation.
One would naturally assume Chicago reaped a bounty in exchange for their prized asset.
One would be mistaken.
The Bulls sent Butler back into the warm embrace of his former coach -- Tom Thibodeau -- in Minnesota, where a super team is being meticulously constructed.
Oh, and they also sent the Timberwolves the 16th pick in the draft.
And what did the Bulls receive in return?
Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the 7th pick.
Sure, the quantity is fine on paper, and these players fit the Fred Hoiberg system, for good or ill.
But this is Jimmy Butler, a stud locked up on a team-friendly deal through 2019.
And the Bulls reportedly spurned much better offers in the process.
Twitter reacted thusly:
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Yep, pretty much.
Good luck with that rebuild.