Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Reviewing the Jimmy Butler trade from all sides

By Michael Whitlow

(Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jimmy Butler, former Chicago Bulls star.
BLOOMINGTON, MN – JUNE 29: Tom Thibobeau introduces Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves to the public during a press conference at the Mall of America on June 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

“This trade sucks! What in the hell are the Bulls doing?”

When the trade was officially announced, this is basically what I said. Who in their right mind would make this trade?

More from Bulls History

Not only did you get back a point guard that looked awful last season, a guard that is coming off an ACL injury (which creates even more nightmare scenarios in fans’ heads all over again) and a pick not even inside the top five selections, you traded away a three-time All-Star, a Most Improved Player award recipient and one of the league’s best two-way players, which is a stupid term because everybody plays two ways, but you know what I mean.

Oh, and the Bulls gave up their own first-round pick with Butler in exchange for Dunn, LaVine and the No. 7 pick, which turned out to be Lauri Markkanen (more on him in a bit). The last thing the Bulls should be doing in a trade centering around Jimmy Butler is trading away picks.

Here’s the flip side to that: the Bulls minus Butler are an atrocious roster. That means losses. A lot of them. That could lead to Michael Porter, Jr. or Luka Doncic next summer, which would be a huge win for the Bulls and would get them their starting centerpiece for the rebuild in the post-Butler era.

LaVine is a good offensive talent, but his defensive numbers are eye-popping and not in a good away. Plus, there’s the whole “he may not play until November or December” thing because of the knee injury. Dunn was just flat-out bad in his rookie season. He’s only a second-year player next season, yes … but so was Denzel Valentine last season and he’s going to be 24 in November. Dunn is already 23 years old. It’s bad, but it’s good at the same time in a weird way.

Welcoming to rooting for a rebuilding NBA franchise!

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