Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors: 5 Potential Trade Destinations for Bulls’ Star

Jimmy Butler has become the Chicago Bulls’ franchise player over the past couple of seasons and is without question one of the top players in the NBA. Most franchise players aren’t rumored to be on the trade block, but Butler’s name has been brought up in trade rumors this week.

Chris Mannix of Yahoo! Sports and The Vertical reported that he had heard rumblings that the Bulls could entertain trade offers for Butler this coming offseason.

“I’ve been hearing rumblings that there is legitimate interest in Chicago in potentially dealing Jimmy Butler this offseason.”

That report will begin the onslaught of Butler trade rumors throughout the remainder of the season and into the offseason. Reports have already begun to come out that the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics will be interested in trying to acquire Butler. Chicago would likely be making a mistake to move Butler, but they won’t make a deal unless they get a major return for him.

Throughout the 2015-16 season thus far, Butler has been having an impressive all-around season. He has averaged 21.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.

At 26-years-old, Butler is in the prime of his career and any team acquiring him would get the majority of his prime. That will make teams be more aggressive in their offers to acquire Butler. He has made it clear that he wants to stay in Chicago, but the Bulls may not feel as loyal to him as he is to them.

All of that being said, which five teams could be potential trade destinations for Butler if the Bulls do end up looking to trade him?

Perhaps the most obvious team with the assets to acquire Butler would be the Boston Celtics. They are without question interested in bringing in a star player and Butler would make a lot of sense. Adding a piece like Butler would put Boston over the top and would immediately push them into serious contention to be the top team in the Eastern Conference.

Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant is set to ride off into the sunset in retirement, which will give the Lakers the need for a new franchise player. Butler would be exactly the kind of player that could help put Los Angeles back on the map. He would bring both offense and defense to the table for the Lakers and it would make them a much better team.

Orlando Magic

As previously mentioned, the Orlando Magic would be a great potential suitor for Butler this offseason. They are a young, up-and-coming team, but are looking to make the push to become a serious playoff contender again. Butler would become their No. 1 scorer right off the bat and would help them reach their goals of getting into the postseason.

New York Knicks

Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks could show interest in acquiring a player like Butler this coming offseason. There is a chance that they would be willing to trade Carmelo Anthony, which could interest Chicago. Butler would be a much better fit for the Knicks than Anthony and it would make for a very intriguing pickup.

Sacramento Kings

It wouldn’t be an entertaining list to read without a surprise team being thrown into the mix. Sacramento is always looking to make a move and Butler would be an ideal pickup for them. DeMarcus Cousins will not be going anywhere in a trade, but the Kings could move pieces like Ben McLemore and picks to get the deal done.

[AP Photo/Chris Szagola]