The Timberwolves reportedly want to trade for Jimmy Butler using the No. 5 pick as the centerpiece of a deal.
Surprise, surprise: That’s not nearly enough.
The Bulls reportedly want Andrew Wiggins.
Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN:
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
If I were the Bulls, I wouldn’t trade Butler straight up for Wiggins. I’d consider Wiggins and No. 5 for Butler, but that starts a longer rebuild that isn’t conducive to the rest of the roster.
Wiggins (21) being closer in age to Karl-Anthony Towns (20) – and to a lesser degree, Zach LaVine (21) – than Butler (26) boosts Wiggins value to Minnesota. It’s also hard for the Timberwolves to assemble a package acceptable to both sides.
Of course, Tom Thibodeau wants Butler. But this seems like a lot of dancing around pie-in-the-sky ideas. I’m not sure either team ever gets serious about these trade talks.