Chicago Bulls Trade Deadline: Jimmy Butler and the Los Angeles Lakers

The Chicago Bulls have been dropped into the blender that is the trade deadline rumor mill. Reports have them speaking to the Celtics, not speaking to the Celtics, talking to the Timberwolves – which we all know isn’t a thing – and about five or six other unfounded by juicy ideas, all of them centered around emerging star Jimmy Butler. One of those teams is the Los Angeles Lakers.

Must Read: Bulls Weekly Grade Report - Feb. 20 Edition

There are many distinct spheres of trade rumors, the most insane of which is basketball Twitter. It’s also the most fun.

There are more than half a dozen different ways Chicago could go at the trade deadline. The smartest option would be to not trade Butler. He’s much too good to simply pass on. However, of course there is a however, if they are going to move on from their star player, they should absolutely survey the landscape on the find the best deal.

One place the Bulls could look is the team that just missed out on DeMarcus Cousins and needs a legitimate star – the Los Angeles Lakers.

If you believe rumors, it sounded like the Sacramento Kings were asking for Brandon Ingram and other pieces. Asking that for a player like Cousins is absolutely fair, but it also shouldn’t be a surprise that a team would pass on that. I believe that Chicago and Los Angeles could work out a deal that would better suit both sides.

Bulls send Butler, picks to Lakers for Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, pick

Alright, here you have it. Chicago sends their star player to Los Angeles. They also include the rights to the 2017 Kings pick, which is slated to be No. 11 in the draft right now, but due to the Boogie trade likely ends up being an early second rounder. In addition, they outright send the rights to their own 2017 first-round pick, which is safely in the lottery if they elect to trade Butler. In exchange, they receive Clarkson and Randle from the Lakers, along with the Lakers pick if Los Angeles retains the rights to their pick.

Bulls Side

Chicago gets their min-rebuild rolling. Randle is going to be a fine NBA power forward and the Bulls need that. Bobby Portis hasn’t come into his own yet, and both Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic are rumored to be on the trade block and unlikely to return next season if not traded. Randle would slide in as the new starting four. Chicago is a catastrophe at point guard, Clarkson isn’t the most appealing point guy, even on his own team, but he’s solid and much better long-term than Jerian Grant or Michael Carter-Williams. The pick swap would land the Bulls at the top of the draft where they can further expedite their rebuild by grabbing Josh Jackson, De’Aaron Fox, Dennis Smith, Jayson Tatum or whoever else suits them.

Lakers Side

Kobe Bryant’s exit was perfect. He was everything amazing and frustrating about the Lakers at the same time. But he was a personality and he loomed large over the game of basketball, probably the single closest true likeness to Michael Jordan in his game. Los Angeles needs to get a new star name in town and they’ve had a hard time trying to do that through free agency recently. They’ve drafted well, but that isn’t enough. The Lakers and their fans want to get back to where they are used to being – the top. They get their star player, they retain Ingram and D’Angelo Russell, and they get two picks to compensate the loss of their own pick. The picks aren’t as valuable, but even with a top-three pick, there are no guarantees that you pull a player with the talent and personality of Butler.

Verdict

The trade has major drawbacks for both sides: The Bulls lose Butler and have little to show for it, the Lakers lose their top pick this summer. I like the trade more for Los Angeles because they get the sure thing in Butler. I also like the trade for Chicago, they get a solid point guard, a considerably more solid power forward in Randle, and get that pick which could be a cornerstone for the Bulls moving forward.

Still, it just doesn’t feel right. I could be convinced, but I don’t think either side is too hot on it. One thing that really hurts the deal is that the Lakers pick has the risk of being conveyed if they get better. Adding Butler makes them better. If that weren’t a very real risk, I could see these teams talking. Sadly for those looking for a little trade deadline chaos, this trade would make the Lakers too good to keep their pick, thus costing Chicago the one thing they really want and need this summer – a top draft pick.

More from Pippen Ain't Easy

The Lakers will have to try their luck on the open market this summer, looking to land that big free agent name and the Bulls will need to find another trade partner to reach the top of the draft if that is their goal before the deadline.

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