As talks of a Jimmy Butler mega-deal emerged in recent weeks, it felt like only a matter of time before the Chicago Bulls’ name came up.
No, the organization is not about to throw its hat in the Butler business. They have gone down that road before. But the idea of moving Butler’s lofty contract mid-season – particularly to an interested team like the Phoenix Suns – has opened A LOT of doors. And the Bulls are a team ready to peek through all doors.
Chicago has been one of the most discussed franchises on the trade market this season. After trading away both DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso this summer, most expected the front office to continue their apparent rebuild at this year’s deadline. Fast forward to today, and we have heard a slew of rumors about multiple players on the Bulls’ roster. We have seen reports about conversations with the Warriors, a desire to move Patrick Williams, and increasing interest in Zach LaVine.
With that being the case, it’s not particularly shocking that the Bulls would be open to helping facilitate a deal. They have made it known they are open for business, and lending a hand in a potential trade like this is a great way to receive valuable future assets. Correspondingly, when there is this much money on the move, a path could be paved for Chicago to throw in Zach LaVine’s hefty contract. And this has reportedly been part of the recent dialogue behind the scenes.
The idea of Bradley Beal ending up in Chicago has also been a part of the dialogue. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective that the Suns and Bulls have spoken about what that could look like:
“We’re dancing around this because I’ve been burned on aggregation. But the bottom line is that the Bulls and Suns have talked and the concept of Bradley Beal ending up in Chicago has been discussed. I’m not saying it’s going to happen. I’m not saying it’s close or whatever. Obviously, Beal has a no-trade clause. But, Bontemps, I just can’t believe that Chicago would do that deal. So maybe it’s never going to happen, but it’s been discussed.”
No bad aggregation here, Windy!
As the long-time ESPN insider made clear, we’re not talking about a deal that is on the last leg. It sounds like this concept is still very much in the preliminary phase. But I join Winhorst and his The Hoop Collective family in disliking almost everything about the idea.
Almost everything.
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)Would the Bulls Really Trade for Bradley Beal?
Let’s make something very clear, the Bulls would not be adding Bradley Beal because they believe he is a legitimately valuable asset. Er, at least, I hope! He is on one of the single-worst contracts in the NBA, which provides him with roughly $111.0 million over the next two years AND a no-trade clause. He is averaging just 17.2 points per game – his lowest mark since the 2015-16 season – and recently moved to the bench for Phoenix. Instead, the vision here is likely two-fold: (1) Finally move on from Zach LaVine and (2) add a bunch of draft compensation in the process.
Assuming Beal is willing to waive his no-trade clause to come to Chicago, I can get behind a surface-level version of this idea. For months (and practically years), I have been arguing for the Bulls to go in a new direction. Moving LaVine is part of that process, as is embracing things that most rebuilding teams embrace. This means having a willingness to eat bad money in exchange for something in return, whether it be young players or intriguing draft picks.
At the same time, it’s not that simple. Not all future assets are created equal. Not all bad contracts are as bad as Beal’s. For the Bulls to be willing to pay him $53,666,270 next season and $57,128,610 the season after that, they would need to begin negotiations with an extremely high floor. In my opinion, that means a baseline of three first-round picks, and not the kind that Phoenix just acquired in their deal with the Utah Jazz.
Indeed, the Suns sent an unprotected 2031 first-round pick to Utah in exchange for three first-round picks earlier this month. Those picks will be the least favorable of the Cavs, Timberwolves, and Jazz in 2025, 2027, and 2029. In other words, we’re talking about three picks that have a very high likelihood of ending up well outside the lottery and in the 20s. Is that worth consuming Beal’s flexibility-eliminating contract and helping multiple teams pull off a blockbuster trade? Heck no!
The Bulls would need someone in the mega-deal – perhaps whichever team is potentially landing Zach LaVine – to give up at least one considerably more attractive pick or young player. The problem is that it feels more likely than not that the best future assets in this blockbuster trade would go to Miami. Not only do they have the player everyone wants in Butler, but they have one of the best front offices in the league.
Also, for those wondering why LaVine can’t just go to Miami, we have heard nothing about them having interest in the two-time All-Star. A fourth or fifth team would likely have to join the Bulls, Heat, and Suns to make things work.
The other option is that Phoenix drops the whole Butler thing and looks to strike a deal for LaVine instead. However, then we are right back to the Suns presumably offering those three future firsts that just don’t feel like enough.
At the end of the day, this is all extremely complicated and risky, particularly during a season in which LaVine is playing some of the best basketball of his career. If this is the only path for moving LaVine that presents itself at this deadline, there is a real case to be made that the Bulls should wait until the offseason when more teams have the ability to strike.
I want to see the Bulls take advantage of this deadline as much as anyone. Is there a world where taking on Beal’s deal helps them accomplish that? Absolutely, but it would depend entirely on the package that comes along with him, and I’m not sure a good enough package exists.
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