Recent trade rumors have emerged that the Oklahoma City Thunder could pursue All-Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler during the midseason if speculations of his exit from the Chicago Bulls persist.
The Thunder was involved in a lot of trade rumors all summer especially after former main man Kevin Durant opted to leave the team and join Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors last month. Even with the re-signing of current team leader Russell Westbrook to a three-year, $85.6 million deal earlier this month, the speculations would not let up.
Several names had been mentioned and the latest one to be brought up is Chicago Bulls shooting guard Jimmy Butler, who himself had been the subject of wild trade rumors since last summer even before he had signed his present five-year, $95 million contract.
As for OKC, the squad has an evident "gaping hole on the wings after Durant's departure" and so team officials are speculated to be trying to fix it before the new season begins this October and Butler is one of their options at the position, as per Morning News USA.
Although it is still highly unlikely that the Bulls will let go of Butler even with Dwyane Wade already in the lineup, the persistent rumors that the two-time All-Star will eventually leave the team is what the Thunder is said to be hanging on to.
With Derrick Rose already gone, speculations of Butler's exit had somewhat eased, though, but they are still existing and could still happen on or before next year's February trade deadline.
Fansided suggested that the Thunder should add Butler via a trade next season as he would be a "solid fit for Oklahoma City, who is in need of an athletic small forward". The report then noted that the 26-year-old former Marquette standout "has been linked in trade rumors throughout the offseason, and the Thunder have the assets".
However, one major problem was cited by the article if the trade should push through, which was the same one that was rumored to be the last straw that broke apart Durant and Westbrook's partnership: ball domination.
Butler, like Westbrook, needs the ball in his hands to be effective. This is also the very same beef that the shooting guard had when Rose was still with the squad as the two had to share the ball many times, leaving Butler feeling hindered to unleash his full potential.
Only time will tell whether OKC will still pursue this trade or even if the Bulls will make Butler available before the February deadline.