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Jimmy Butler to Minnesota Pipe Dream

By Paul Bellesen

Feb 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) drives on Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 96-89. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) drives on Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 96-89. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the recent hiring of Tom Thibodeau, the rumors of a Jimmy Butler reunion have been coming from every direction.

Now that the Timberwolves have made their coaching hire, in Tom Thibodeau, there is a large group that thinks the coach will be in a “win now” mode. With his former team, Thibodeau had great success with Jimmy Butler, turning him into a superstar two-way player. This last year, the first year after Thibodeau’s firing, the Bulls have been trending downward. Missing the playoffs for the first time since 2009, the Bulls might want to make some changes with their current roster.

This season it seemed as if Butler was not very happy with the direction the team was going. In an interview about mid season Butler mentioned that the new coach Fred Hoiberg was not hard enough on the team. Seems like Butler was missing the hard-nosed coaching style of Thibodeau.

There has been a lot of rumors lately that the Timberwolves will pursue Butler in a possible trade that would involve their first round pick and players. A lot of people have discussed the #5 pick, Shabazz Muhammad, and Gorgui Dieng for Butler. It is going to take a lot more than that for the Bulls to say goodbye to one of the best two-way players in the NBA.

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For the Timberwolves to get the Bulls attention they would have to include Andrew Wiggins or Zach Lavine in the trade. Are the Timberwolves willing to do that? Would it be smart to do that? Andrew Wiggins is a player that I would not trade at this point of his career after showing so much promise. The potential Zach Lavine has shown in his career, although being 21 years old, is reason enough for the Timberwolves to see this through. Flip drafted Lavine with a vision for him on this team. The chemistry between Lavine, Wiggins, and Towns is something that should be taken into account and in my opinion, should not be messed with.

How do we even know that the Bulls would entertain offers for a Butler trade? Butler was seen last week at the NBA Draft Combine with Hoiberg and Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. He was also the team representative at the NBA Draft Lottery last week. Butler is the face of the franchise.

You would have to think that Thibodeau might not have left on the best terms in Chicago. Do the Bulls front office want to even take a call from Thibodeau? Do they want to trade their best player to Thibodeau?

Next: Timberwolves Front Shakeup

This is pure speculation and something being used to fill radio and television segments. Nothing more. The Bulls are not going to trade Butler for just anything and the Timberwolves are not going to give up the farm for him either. Let’s put this to rest.

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