NBA Trade Rumors: Latest on Jimmy Butler and Rudy Gay
We’re slowly approaching the doldrums of the NBA offseason.
For now, it’s all good. The summer league is going on, giving fans a chance to watch some of the game’s next All-Stars. And there are still rumors floating around, like the one’s we’ll touch on below.
But soon tumbleweeds will be rolling around the NBA front. Enjoy the rumblings while you still can.
Jimmy Butler
According to ESPN.com’s Zach Lowe, Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler is off the trade market—until further notice.
Even with the addition of shooting guard Dwyane Wade, Chi-town is still invested in the two-time All-Star. Here’s what Lowe read into the signings of D-Wade and Rajon Rondo:
"There just doesn't appear to be a real plan beyond buying time. Butler is off the market for now, per league sources, and it's tempting to read Chicago's all-in splash as an effort to maintain a winner around him.
Who in the hell knows? Perhaps if Wade plays well enough to keep them in the postseason race, the Bulls might feel comfortable flipping Butler for picks, triggering a rebuild that would only start in earnest once Wade and Rondo cycle out.
"
On the night of the NBA draft, it appeared Butler was heading for a reunion with head coach Tom Thibodeau and the Minnesota Timberwolves, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein. Instead, those flames died down.
Now, instead of a reunion, Butler is faced with an odd fit, as SB Nation's Ricky O'Donnell pointed out:
To Rondo's credit, though, he has said all the right things, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:
Still, it’s hard to imagine something not coming up throughout the season. Rondo needs to have the ball in his hands to orchestrate the offense. Butler and Wade, more drivers than shooters, both need to have the ball in their hands.
Reminder: There’s only one rock.
So, who goes?
Butler is signed through the 2019-20 season, while Rondo and Wade are both on two-year deals. The former, at 26, is also on the rise, while the latter two are on the decline.
It’s clear who would draw the greatest haul. And though Butler is reportedly off the market, take note of Lowe’s wording—“for now.”
Don’t be surprised if the Bulls wind up pulling the trigger on a Butler deal near the trade deadline in exchange for a bounty of young talent and picks. Rondo and Wade will be off the books soon, bringing the team to a full-fledged rebuild.
The Sacramento Kings are being wacky.
Shocking, huh?
On Sunday, James Ham of CSN Bay Area reported that the team is listening to offers for Rudy Gay, Kosta Koufos and Ben McLemore:
Two days earlier, Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee reported that Gay is the one pushing to be moved:
One team that comes to mind is Miami. With Wade and Luol Deng gone, the Heat need wing scoring. Gay would be provided with a major role and a ton of shots in South Beach.
Former NFL receiver Chad Johnson chimed in on the possibility:
While perhaps posted jokingly, Johnson was echoing Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. Winderman, though, saw a hiccup contractwise:
Another possibility for Gay would be the Oklahoma City Thunder, who lost someone to free agency.
You might have heard of him:
Gay is no Kevin Durant, but he’s a capable one-on-one scorer who’s a career 34.4 percent shooter from distance. Anthony Slater of the Oklahoman touched on the situation last week:
The Kings always have question marks swirling around—and that’s what makes them fun. But whether he’s with Miami, OKC or another team, it appears certain Gay will not be in Sacramento for long.
