The Bulls may have Jimmy Butler on the trading block, but Chicago isn't looking to just give him away.
With the NBA draft looming, there have been reports that the Timberwolves are interested in Butler and dangling their No. 5 overall pick to get him. Turns out, it will take a much bigger trade package for Minnesota to land the forward.
The Bulls won't trade Butler, who has a history with T-Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau, unless Minnesota throws Andrew Wiggins in the deal as well, according to a tweet by 1500 ESPN's Darren Wolfson:
Good work from Marc. Word is Bulls won't do if AW not involved. If wanted to move JB, bet Bos. would give up No. 3. https://t.co/YBBxwCi8Es
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) June 14, 2016
After taking home Rookie of the Year honors in the 2014-15 season, Wiggins averaged 20.7 points per game this past season. Minnesota selected Wiggins fist overall in the 2014 NBA Draft and the following year they selected Karl-Anthony Towns first overall in hopes of utilizing the duo as a 1-2 punch for the future.
It's hard to imagine the Timberwolves pulling the trigger and gambling their future by trading Wiggins, 21, for Butler.
Butler, 26, was selected with the 30th overall pick by Chicago in the 2011 NBA Draft and has spent five seasons with the Bulls, making the All-Star team twice. He averaged 20.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in the regular season and has averaged 13.6 points per contest throughout his career.
The Bulls star has made waves off the court recently as his romantic relationship with "Pretty Little Liars" star Shay Mitchell has been getting serious.
"Jimmy and Shay are most definitely an item, but they know being in the public eye can be detrimental to a long lasting relationship," a source told Terez Owens earlier this month. "They're going to keep things on the down low for as long as possible."
Butler was previously spotted out and about with the actress in May, but played coy about their relationship.
"[I'm in L.A.] for the sunny weather," Butler told TMZ Sports when approached about being seen with Mitchell. "I'm out here enjoying lunch, man. It's a good day for lunch."
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