The Minnesota Timberwolves appear to be interested in acquiring Chicago swingman Jimmy Butler.
ESPN’s Marc Stein reports that Minnesota is willing to deal the No. 5 pick in this month’s NBA Draft to Chicago in an attempt to tempt the Bulls into making the deal.
Story going online now with @chadfordinsider: Wolves making No. 5 overall pick available in hopes of tempting Bulls into Jimmy Butler trade
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 13, 2016
The report notes that Chicago is not believed to be looking to move Butler, but sources say the Bulls are listening to offers.
Chicago’s asking price for Butler might be kind of high, though. According to 1500 ESPN’s Darren Wolfson, Chicago might be looking for Andrew Wiggins in return.
Good work from Marc. Word is Bulls won't do if AW not involved. If wanted to move JB, bet Bos. would give up No. 3. https://t.co/YBBxwCi8Es
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) June 14, 2016
Wiggins would be a big price for Minnesota to pay. He’s 21, was the NBA’s 2015 Rookie of the Year and averaged 20.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game for the Wolves last year alongside Karl-Anthony Towns.
But there has been talk of Ricky Rubio wanting out of Minnesota – especially if the Wolves miss the playoffs again. Could Minnesota be testing the waters to see if Rubio and the pick would be enough to land Butler?
We’ll have to wait and see, but it could be another interesting offseason for the Timberwolves.
