Trade Grades: Wolves Fleece Bulls In Jimmy Butler Blockbuster

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

There is a clear consensus in the national media that the Bulls get an F and we get an A. That tells me a few things:

1) Thibs/Leydon have some potential as a management team

2) We are a bunch of smart basketball guys on this board, but we suffer from a common malady...and even more than other homers. We really overvalue our own guys. Zach and Dunn are just not very highly regarded outside of Minnesota, and the numbers support that conclusion. I'm as guilty as anyone here in overvaluing Zach. "Ignore his numbers...look at how high he can jump and what a good guy he is!"

3) Butler may be even better than we think

[Monster]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is one of the reasons for the somewhat irrational attachment for Lavine is he was a significant part of Flip's legacy. Heck he might have been the best example of Flip's brilliance as a decision maker here. I don't think there is anything wrong with having that attachment to a guy for that reason. Those young guys seemed to have a nice connection which was really fun to see as a fan.

This is a business and Thibs and Layden had to make a basketball decision and after processing this all out myself (thanks for listening) it all adds up. This is a good opportunity for Lavine while the Bulls have some questions about what they are doing Lavine can be more of the guy and Hoiberg is a coach that will likely really take advantage of his skills.

[kekgeek]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is one of the reasons for the somewhat irrational attachment for Lavine is he was a significant part of Flip's legacy. Heck he might have been the best example of Flip's brilliance as a decision maker here. I don't think there is anything wrong with having that attachment to a guy for that reason. Those young guys seemed to have a nice connection which was really fun to see as a fan.

This is a business and Thibs and Layden had to make a basketball decision and after processing this all out myself (thanks for listening) it all adds up. This is a good opportunity for Lavine while the Bulls have some questions about what they are doing Lavine can be more of the guy and Hoiberg is a coach that will likely really take advantage of his skills.

I think this is a lot of it. Im still high on Zach and I hope he continues to get good. Great human for the work he did in the Twin Cities and his work with the deaf school. Good luck zach!

But I'm so pumped about the trade!

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

And in the end....we can evaluate Lavine and bring him back home next year if we choose to make a run at him!

[Duke13]

Now we just need to do a sign and trade of rubio and dieng for millsap and then sign chris paul and we are ready to rock.

Paul
Wiggins
Butler
Millsap
Towns

And who the hell care who else. We coming.....

I don't know if you were being somewhat sarcastic or not but I think at Rubio and G's combined salary of roughly 28-30 mil a year they don't fit well with with our big 3. Especially Rubio, I know I'm not the most objective, I try to be when it comes to Rubio.

Now we have two ball dominate/ISO players in Butler and Wig. I think Rubio is the worst type of lead guard to pair with them. They need a guy better off the dribble and with a competent outside shot. Not someone that "needs" the ball in his hands to be effective. Butler is a guy who like to get a rebound and run the break, Rubio doesn't come to mind when I think of versitale guards when can play off then ball.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1581665

For those here who love drama and the human condition, I can't recommend more highly the 68 pages on the Bulls RealGM board lamenting the trade...it's pure gold! Here are the stages of grief they went through:

1) OMG, we're trading Butler for Dunn, Zach and #7...what a disaster. Well, at least there may be good players available at 7 and 16, but it's still a terrible idea.

2) What, we gave up 16 too...that can't possibly be true. Show me some proof!!!!

3) Oh fuck...we gave up 16 too. I'm now officially no longer a Bulls fan.

4) But maybe we really like Isaac, and he drops to 7. Anything but that unathletic Finn.

5) We drafted Markkenen? You gotta be kidding...please keep me away from any open windows!

I bailed after page 16, but I may finish up later. More evidence that we fleeced them...you will actually feel sorry for Chicago after reading this!

[60WinTim]

Yeah, well, there were a lot of upset people in these parts when we traded Mayo for Love...

Although I agree, the Butler trade must be an order of magnitude worse for Bulls fans. Maybe two!

[60WinTim]

Doesn't this kind of feel like the Garnett trade, only in reverse?

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

Doesn't this kind of feel like the Garnett trade, only in reverse?

Now that you mention it, yes.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I've been pushing for this trade for a year... good to see it happen.

LaVine's injury came at a bad time. And I just don't see him having the instincts/chops to make smart basketball plays that win games regularly over the long haul... especially defensively. Dunn looked terrible offensively, even though I dug him as a bulldog type defensively.

More importantly, the team was DESPERATE for a veteran guy who could actually play. Butler is a top 15 - 20 talent... to pair with another top 15 - 20 talent and a promising young athletic scorer on the wing.

This also means Rubio LIVES! And I'm totally cool with that on this team.

LOL, Love it! After all the rumors and churn, Rubio STILL is a Timberwolf.

That being said, I'm not sure Thibs is done yet....It's just funny that his name is mentioned at every conceivable league inflection point and every single time he goes no where.