Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler’s name will be a hot topic as we head into the NBA trade deadline later in February.
With the Boston Celtics reportedly ready to open up trade talks again, Butler could be on the move. But a new report suggests he’s hoping to stay in Chicago and help the Bulls court another star player.
Chicago Sun Times beat writer Joe Cowley is reporting that Butler wants to help the Bulls front office bring in Carmelo Anthony:
“That is half the battle,’’ Butler said via Cowley. “And I could still do that. I think everybody knows what Carmelo can bring to a team. The dude is a helluva player.
Butler would likely make a recruiting call to Melo to waive his no trade clause and join a Bulls team that enters Wednesday’s game 26-26 and fighting for a playoff spot.
But the Bulls will likely have competition if Melo does waive that clause.
Both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly interested in adding Melo before the deadline as well. LeBron James has voiced his displeasures with Cleveland “not adding enough around him” and would love to bring Melo on board.
Butler offering his help to the Bulls Front Office comes a day after conflicting reports about the future of John Paxson and Gar Foreman were released.
He also went on to acknowledge that he wont have the final call but would welcome Anthony to the team:
“You can talk to [Anthony] and tell him all this, all that, but as far as a trade and all that stuff goes, that’s for the front office because there’s only so much say [the players] can have in a deal like that,” Butler said. “There’s not too much I can do in that aspect.”
Anthony turned down the option to join the Bulls in the Summer of 2014, saying his final choices were between the Bulls and Knicks.
He opted to stay in New York.
Whatever happens before the trade deadline, expect the Bulls are going to be involved in a lot of rumors and they could be headlined with Butler’s name.
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