Wolves nation was buzzing Monday night when reports linked the Wolves and Bulls in a trade that would send Minnesota’s fifth overall selection in next week’s draft to Chicago for All-Star guard Jimmy Butler.
But then word broke that Chicago would only start a discussion like that if Andrew Wiggins was thrown into the deal. But as the rumor mill keeps churning out stories, those closest to the Bulls don’t think a deal with Minnesota will ever happen simply because of the negative relationship Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau has with his former Chicago employers.
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times doesn’t think a trade is remotely possible.
“One major problem with that idea: In order to make that trade the Bulls would have to be willing to actually have a discussion about it. According to a source, not only has that not happened, but even if they were willing to move Butler – which they currently are not – helping Thibodeau build a contender sits at the bottom of their to-do list, right under give Carlos Boozer another look.”
Across town, look what Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Rosenbloom wrote:
“It’s equally hard to see how the Bulls trade Butler. Typical of this administration, the Bulls will ask for a front-line player, rotation player, high draft pick and, I don’t know, a fleet of Lamborghinis. They’ll set a price so high that they’ll be viewed as the clear winners of the deal, and that goes double when dealing with the coach the Bulls fired. Which means there will be no deal.
Even if the trade talks with the Timberwolves jumped to Butler for Wiggins and the No. 5 overall pick, I still can’t see Gar Forman making that deal because you couldn’t sell the Bulls as a contender next season, and I think it’s possible that Forman has only next season.”
Apparently that Thibodeau split from Chicago after five years coaching the Bulls left a bitter aftertaste in the front offices at United Center.
