The Orlando Magic could send Elfrid Payton, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Vucevic to the Chicago Bulls for their franchise player Jimmy Butler and point guard Jerian Grant, according to latest NBA trade rumors.
Rumors have recently emerged that the Bulls are now open to trading Butler to interested teams as Chicago aims to re-tool its roster moving forward. There are speculations that Bulls general manager Gar Forman had wanted to trade Butler earlier this season, but the team's surprising start made him hold off until their recent drop back to the seventh spot in the East standings.
Despite the 27-year-old wingman producing career-high numbers in points (25.6 per game), rebounds (6.9 per game), and free throw shooting (88 percent), Inquisitr reported that the Bulls are "considering shipping" Butler before the February trade deadline and a lot of teams are expectedly interested in dealing for the former NBA Most Improved Player awardee.
Fansided suggested that a trade with the Magic could happen soon as Orlando could reportedly prepare a package that includes young players Payton, Gordon, and Vucevic to offer to Chicago in exchange for their two-time All-Star.
Payton and Vucevic were in the rumor mill since the start of the season, but the Magic might have to add up-and-coming star Gordon to the bid to make the Bulls agree on the deal.
The report noted that even with the said starting trio gone, adding Butler to Orlando's projected new starting five composed of Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo, Evan Fournier, and CJ Watson would still be an upgrade for the Magic.
Meanwhile, the Bulls are set to receive three potential cornerstones for the future. Payton would be a more manageable point guard to handle for head coach Fred Hoiberg, Vucevic is still a young big man entering his prime, while Gordon is a crowd-favorite in the making with his flashy game and personality.
With all three players 26 years old and under, it would be a good way for the Bulls to kickstart a much-needed rebuild in the post-Derrick Rose era.
