NBA Free Agents 2016: Rumors and Predictions Surrounding Jimmy Butler and More
The Chicago Bulls have been cleaning house throughout the offseason. Do they have any more moves to make before settling on their roster?
They could be involved in a trade involving top remaining star Jimmy Butler, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
Bulpett wrote that Butler is still available from the Bulls, and the Boston Celtics are a possible interested shopper when it comes to his services.
Butler's price may be higher now that the draft is over. The Celtics had the No. 3 pick on draft night and there was considerable talk that Boston entertained the possibility of moving the pick at that point.
It might take a considerable offer to get the Bulls to part with Butler, but the signings of Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo indicate that Chicago is still in the process of retooling its team, following the trade of former MVP Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks.
Butler, 26, was an All-Star last year and he averaged 20.9 points per game along with 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists. He is a productive player with many good years in front of him.
Prediction: Look for a trade between the Bulls and Celtics on Butler to remain on the back burner for a while. However, this potential deal will come to a head later this summer. In the end, Butler will remain with the Bulls.
Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers also remains available through a possible trade, according to Bulpett.
Okafor was the No. 3 pick in the 2015 draft for the 76ers, and the 6'11", 275-pound center averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game during his rookie season. The 76ers had the worst record in the league at 10-72, and Okafor has a long way to go to reach his full potential. However, it's clear that he has ability, and he can be molded into an excellent player in the years to come.
The Sixers would need quite a bit of talent coming back, and they were also interested in acquiring the Celtics' No. 3 pick during the draft.
Since that pick is no longer available, the Sixers would need established talent to execute the deal and send Okafor to Boston.
The Celtics were fully involved in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, and while they made a full effort to sign the former Oklahoma City star, he ultimately said no as he came to a much-publicized agreement with the Golden State Warriors.
That means the Celtics are still in the process of changing their roster, or at least improving it, and that gives more credibility to making deals for Butler or Okafor.
Prediction: The Celtics' interest in this deal will cool down because they like their own No. 3 pick, Jaylen Brown. Okafor will remain with the Sixers.
The Knicks are interested in bringing back Sasha Vujacic to take on the role of shooting guard, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
New York recently picked up shooting guard Justin Holiday, but they could use more help at the position. Vujacic is a triangle veteran who played for the Knicks last season.
Berman recapped Vujacic's performance in the previous campaign:
"Vujacic had a poor beginning last season as he started the first seven games for injured Arron Afflalo. Interim coach Kurt Rambis then benched Afflalo in mid-March and Vujacic started the rest of the season. Vujacic, 32, is a former Lakers sharpshooter who actually defended better last season than he stroked the ball (36.4 on 3-pointers). But he came on late, scoring double-figures five times in April."
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Berman reports that Vujacic would have to sign at the veteran's minimum of $1.6 million with the Knicks, and it's unclear if he can get a better deal elsewhere.
Prediction: Vujacic will return to the Knicks as he signs for the veteran minimum.
