If you’re ready to hear what could possibly be the wildest of Jimmy Butler rumors, buckle up for Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported on Tuesday morning.
There’s rumors surrounding Jimmy Butler’s future with the Chicago Bulls and then there’s what Chicago Sun-Times Bulls reporter Joe Cowley reported on Tuesday morning.
Cowley, who has long been an … interesting … member of the Bulls media scene, had some fascinating details to report on Butler’s future heading into the 2017 NBA Draft on Thursday night in Brooklyn.
To sum things up, you’re going to want to hang around for this whole thing because it’s honestly amazing.
Butler teaming up with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving?
Here’s what Cowley reported on Butler potentially still heading to Cleveland, amidst the reports that the Cavaliers will be looking for a new front office heading into next season.
"According to multiple sources in Cleveland, not only have Cavaliers players – including LeBron James and Kyrie Irving – been reaching out to Butler directly and through back channels over the last five days to gauge his interest, but those players liked what they heard back from the Bulls’ three-time All-Star.One of the sources indicated that Butler would even push his front office to get the deal done, which is a huge change of direction for Butler, who has told both general manager Gar Forman and vice president of basketball operations John Paxson numerous times over the last year that he didn’t want to be traded."
So, that’s interesting. And really, it makes sense. Jimmy Butler wants to win. That’s a common quote after games throughout the season. He just wants to win. Who can give him the best chance to do that in the East? The best player in the world and one of the best shot-makers at the rim that the league has ever seen. It seems logicaal.
Cowley also mentioned what was reported throughout Monday evening and that’s the Phoenix Suns are also inquiring about Butler’s availability. The Los Angeles Lakers could also step in as a third team in a trade that could send Butler to Cleveland.
Then, there’s the “Three Alphas”…
Here’s where things really get good. Cowley reported on the meetings that Butler and Dwyane Wade both had with the Bulls front office and one common trend came out of those meetings: Rajon Rondo has to go.
"A Bulls source indicated that the message coming out of the meetings with both Butler and Wade was the “Three Alphas’’ storyline is played out.While Butler and Wade personally have no problem with Rajon Rondo, they would like a proven outside threat at that point guard position to open up the floor."
Oh, but wait, there’s more:
"The Sun-Times reported last week that Butler has been in the ear of free agent point guard Kyle Lowry about coming to Chicago since the two played on Team USA last summer, and now there’s a new name in the mix."
Kyle Lowry, you say?
But wait! There’s even more!
"All-Star Kyrie Irving has been contacting some of his former Team USA teammates and letting them know that he might be willing to push for a trade, especially if he feels the Cavs’ run could end quickly with James able to opt out after next season.Through back channels, Chicago would be one of the places that Irving would be interested to play."
So, timeout.
We’ve gone from Kyrie Irving, LeBron James and Jimmy Butler all on the same team to Irving as the point guard in Chicago? How did we get here so quickly?
Next: According to an ESPN report, Dwyane Wade is considering staying in Chicago
See, I told you this was amazing.
There’s truly nothing like the NBA’s offseason. It’s one of a kind.