Bulls’ John Paxson Claims Chicago ‘Not Looking’ To Trade Jimmy Butler

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA offseason will be an exciting one, to say the least. Along with a talented pool of players coming into the league through the NBA Draft on June 22, the free agency period could see some big-name players changing teams along with potentially a lot of movement on the trade market.

Three players that will likely be mentioned a lot in trade rumors over the course of the offseason are Paul George of the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony, and Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls. These two All-Stars appear to be the most likely to be moved this summer, but Bulls executive vice president, Jim Paxson, claims the team isn’t planning on trading Butler, via K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:

“I want to make this clear: We’re not looking to move Jimmy Butler,” Paxson told David Kaplan and Pat Boyle on WMVP-AM 1000 in one breath.

Although Paxson maintains the team isn’t actively looking to trade their All-Star guard/forward, teams will certainly come calling this summer with trade packages to try and entice Chicago to part ways with Bulter.

Butler will come at a high price with Chicago wanting to get as much as possible for arguably one of the best two-way players in the league. The Marquette product continues to improve year after year with a very bright future ahead as long as he can stay the course.

If the Bulls do end up trading Butler, it will mark the beginning of a rebuilding process with the futures of Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade in Chicago being uncertain as well. Chicago could be a completely different-looking basketball team next season with Butler potentially being the first domino to fall this summer.