Chicago Bulls: 2017 NBA Draft grades for Jimmy Butler deal, Markkanen

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Apr 26, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) shoots the ball over Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Bulls deal Jimmy Butler to Minnesota Timberwolves

It is no secret that Jimmy Butler has been the subject of trade rumors over the last couple of seasons. And while vice president of basketball operations John Paxson stated a couple of weeks ago that the team was not shopping Butler, that narrative changed on draft night.

As first reported by ESPN‘s Marc Stein, the Bulls sent the three-time All-Star to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the No. 7 pick in 2017 NBA Draft, which turned into Lauri Markkanen from Arizona.

Additionally, as reported by ESPN‘s Brian Windhorst, the Bulls also packaged their No. 16 overall pick to Minnesota as part of the deal.

Here is what a few of the experts had to say about this blockbuster deal.

You traded Butler for a 23-year old PG that can’t shoot, and a 22-year old guard that relies on his athleticism coming off a torn ACL.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) June 22, 2017

They’re going to win 18 games next year https://t.co/7v3ZGzqwgu
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) June 23, 2017

I don't really know what the Bulls are doing, fam
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) June 23, 2017

For the diehard Bulls fans, you’re probably scratching your head right about now. Sure, LaVine is an up-and-coming player who averaged close to 19 points per contest in 47 games for Minnesota in 2016-17. On the flip side of that coin, he is also rehabbing an ACL injury and there is a chance he may not be ready for the start of next season.

As far as Dunn is concerned, the Bulls wanted to select him in the 2016 NBA Draft. So in that sense, they got the player they wanted a year later. However, Dunn had an underwhelming season with the Timberwolves last season, as he averaged just 3.8 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds per outing.

On top of that, Dunn connected on just 28.8 percent of his attempts from three-point range. Even more important, the Bulls already have a plethora of point guards on the roster right now, so it is rather questionable why they would add another one to the mix.

In other words, the Bulls should have held out for more, or kept Butler in the fold.

Final Grade: D-

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