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Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors: Will Dwyane Wade Opt Out If Chicago Bulls Trade Butler?

By Ryan DeVault
Published on: 07:54 PST, May 28, 2017

Jimmy Butler trade rumors could have a huge impact on how the Chicago Bulls approach the NBA offseason. Dwyane Wade can opt out of his current contract and test free agency if he wants to, which might become more likely if the Bulls do decide to trade Butler. A report by the Chicago Tribune states that Wade is expected to exercise that option, mostly because he won’t see a salary this high again. Wade did comment about the possibilities in front of him this offseason.

“I’m an open-minded person. I’m always open to a lot of things. That’s never been presented to me. I’ve never had that. But I will never be a person that says, ‘Oh, never.’ If it’s the right situation, you do what’s best for the team and yourself.”

As for the Jimmy Butler trade rumors, there is no shortage of teams that would like to acquire the All-Star small forward before the 2017-18 NBA season. That includes the Boston Celtics, a team that just won the NBA Draft Lottery and now has the first overall selection. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Celtics team president Danny Ainge is now ready to make significant moves to shake up the roster and compete for an Eastern Conference title.

Butler is coming off his best season since joining the NBA, as he averaged 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.9 steals over 76 games with the Bulls. Those numbers drew the attention of general managers around the NBA and there were reportedly negotiations taking place before the NBA trade deadline last year. The Bulls ended up holding on to Butler, preferring to see what the postseason could hold and if the offseason could add more talent to the roster.

The Bulls also have an important decision to make about Rajon Rondo’s contract. Rondo has a salary of roughly $13.4 million that will become fully guaranteed on June 30. If the Bulls decide to waive him on or before that date, the team will only be on the hook for $3 million. Rondo performed well for the team in the second half and is penciled in as the starting point guard should he remain on the roster.

A lot of Chicago Bulls rumors center around Dwayne Wade’s player option and Rajon Rondo’s contract, showing how the franchise could potentially shave a lot of payroll over the next month. Jimmy Butler’s contract has three more seasons on it, including a player option for the 2019-20 NBA season. It’s a very team-friendly deal, with the Bulls paying him about $18.7 million next season and then roughly $19.9 million for the 2018-19 season.

When it comes to teams expressing interest in the latest Jimmy Butler trade rumors, the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers are at the top of the list. The Lakers have a lot of young players like Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell who could make a trade very palatable for Bulls fans, while the Celtics are stocked up with future first-round draft picks that could help the Bulls through a rebuilding process. The 76ers have a combination of youth and picks that could also be offered in a deal for Butler.

The front office continues to play it coy when it comes to the future of the franchise and whether Butler will be a large part of it. While there have been statements that could lead Bulls fans to believe Butler will play in Chicago for many years to come, there have also been a lot of stories suggesting that his days could be numbered if the right deal comes along. As the offseason and 2017 NBA Draft arrive in June, the number of Jimmy Butler trade rumors is only going to increase, especially with the various roster issues the Chicago Bulls need to deal with.

[Featured Image by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images]

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