BULLS SEND SUPERSTAR JIMMY BUTLER TO MINNY IN MEGA-DEAL
The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired swingman Jimmy Butler and a 1st-round draft pick in 2017 (No. 16 overall, power forward / center Justin Patton) from the Chicago Bulls for point guard Kris Dunn, shooting guard / point guard Zach LaVine, and a 1st-round draft pick in 2017 (No. 7 overall, power forward / center Lauri Markkanen).
What does it give the Chicago Bulls
If this doesn't signal a full-on rebuild by the Bulls, it's hard to imagine what would. They played just .500 ball this past season with Butler around (41-41), and by moving him here they got significantly worse. That said, Chicago does pick up three solid--if not 'can't-miss'--young building blocks here in Dunn, LaVine, and rookie Markkanen. All three should eventually be NBA starters, and all three have star potential. That won't happen overnight, though. Chicago also saves a lot of money by shedding Butler's salary, so we'll see what they do with the extra funds to build around their new nucleus.
What does it give the Minnesota Timberwolves
This move is a masterstroke for the Timberwolves. Not only does team prez and head coach Tom Thibodeau get a superstar in Butler--a player he helped develop when both were in Chicago together--but he adds a proven leader to one of the NBA's best young cores of stars. Butler joins rising talents Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, as well as underrated star point guard Ricky Rubio, to form an appealing 'big four.' This makes Minny a contender--in a few years, if not right away.
Fantasy impact
Butler's fantasy fortunes get a small downgrade, as do those of Wiggins and Anthony-Towns (just because they now have to share the ball more than before). That said, Rubio should challenge for the NBA's assist lead. On the Bulls side, Dunn and LaVine (once LaVine is healthy) should see significant improvements in their respective fantasy values. Markkanen has the goods to eventually be a starter, but it's unwise to expect big numbers from him in Year 1. For Chicago's other players, downgrade Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade, and upgrade Nikola Mirotic (who should see more shots now) and perhaps Denzel Valentine.
