Sports guy has JFB in the top 50 trade value.

[RawdogDX]

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9186204/nba-trade-value-column-part-1
49. Jimmy Butler
48. Chandler Parsons
There isn't a better cost-effective DTA (defenses, 3s, athleticism) guy than Butler right now. If you want to make the color drain from a Bulls fan's face, just quietly mutter to him, "Man, I love that Butler-Deng combo — can you imagine if you had a healthy Derrick and your cheap owner hadn't stupidly let Asik leave? You guys would be LOADED."

[Galway Eagle]

I really appreciate it if they didn't trade Butler. 

[Skatastrophy]

Why pay Rudy Gay $18 million when you can pay Jimmy Butler $1.5 million? Why? WHYYYYYYY?????

lol

[LAMUfan]

Seems like he is saying that they should not trade him, even though other teams would like to have him... I think you'll be ok bulls fans

[setyoursightsnorth]

The owner wasn't stupid in letting Asik go. It was a back loaded deal that would pay him something in the neighborhood of 12 million in his final year. He's a good player, but no way in hell is he worth 12 million.

[flash]

The owner wasn't stupid in letting Asik go. It was a back loaded deal that would pay him something in the neighborhood of 12 million in his final year. He's a good player, but no way in hell is he worth 12 million.

Absolutely, I don't know of many teams who would invest 12 million in a backup center who plays 15 minutes a game.  As a Bulls fan it was sad to see him go, but keeping him on that type of salary didn't make much sense. 

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Absolutely, I don't know of many teams who would invest 12 million in a backup center who plays 15 minutes a game.  As a Bulls fan it was sad to see him go, but keeping him on that type of salary didn't make much sense. 

But you don't get it... It was the owners money that they were going to pay him with, not real money. Cheap ass Reinsdorf

[TomW1365]

Every owner in the NBA is cheap!  That's why there is a salary cheap (smart)!  That's why there is a salary cap.  Asik getting that offer from the Rockets was a blow to the Bulls, but there was no way to match it without putting a big dent in or 2015 NBA championship run.  We're going to need that money to pay Steve Novak or Dwyane Wade veteran contracts.

[setyoursightsnorth]

Every owner in the NBA is cheap!  That's why there is a salary cheap (smart)!  That's why there is a salary cap.  Asik getting that offer from the Rockets was a blow to the Bulls, but there was no way to match it without putting a big dent in or 2015 NBA championship run.  We're going to need that money to pay Steve Novak or Dwyane Wade veteran contracts.

You're dreaming.

[jeffreyweee]

If Wade ever leaves the Heat I can't see him in any city but Chicago. Now will he leave the Heat? I'm not so sure. Depends on LeBron.

[HoopsMalone]

It obviously would be nice to get something for any free agent who leaves a team. That's just not reality.

The Heat were beat up in the playoffs last year.  Boston almost beat them.  I think that the Bulls would have had a VERY good chance at making the Finals last year.  No regrets on keeping Asik because he was able to switch on pick and rolls and defend the hoop.  No other team had three guys who could do that against Miami and OKC (Noah, Asik, Gibson), and it would have made a difference.  

To keep Asik, you would have to extend him earlier in his career.  You would have had to trade Noah then, I think.  Asik could barely catch a pass and dunk it last year, so you couldn't trade away your All-Star center.  In hindsight, though, Carmelo, Boozer, and Asik would have been a nice frontline with Rose and Jimmy in the backcourt.  Who knows how much Anthony really wanted to play in Chicago when all of those Noah for Anthony rumors were floating.  That may have just been leverage so the Nets/Knicks knew that they would have to raise their offer past Chicago.

[setyoursightsnorth]

I would pass on Melo. I think him and DRose wouldn' t mix. Melo touched the ball 26 times in the fourth quarter last night. He passed it 3 times. Finished with one assist. In the final minute. I don't think I'd want that on a team where ball movement is necessary.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Wade will never play for the Bulls unless it's at a total bargain very late in his career. He is in a rapid decline.

[🏀]

DWade won't leave Miami, he'll retire there after LeBron leaves in FA.

I don't think the Bulls would be looking at Melo either. Would like to have him, but skill sets with DRose won't match up well.

JFB does give the Bulls a cheap option at the 2 and with DRose, a role player at the 2 is the best possible scenario. You need defense and occasional scoring out of that position.

With 1-2 as DRose and Butler, I think Deng could handle playing the 3. However, the PF position would need to be upgraded. In my dream world, the Bulls amnesty Boozer and make a run at Kevin Love. I think it's likely Love tells the TWolves he's using his player option after the 14-15 season and they put him up for trade next season with the strong upcoming draft class.

JoNoah is still your five and Mirotic will be over in the Summer of 2014, so there's that to look forward to as well.

[Sunbelt15]

Jimmy Butler's game is suspect and he should be coming off the bench, not starting.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Jimmy Butler's game is suspect and he should be coming off the bench, not starting.

So.... this plus Novak sucks and will be out of the league soon.  Huh.....

What part of Jimmy's game, exactly, is "suspect"?

[🏀]

Jimmy Butler's game is suspect and he should be coming off the bench, not starting.

I used to  believe this too, but then he took off in the past three weeks.

Still needs to work on his jumper, and he's a starter.

[AZWarrior]

Jimmy Butler's game is suspect and he should be coming off the bench, not starting.

Care to expound on that statement, Sunbelt?

[garbier1]

Homer here-

Said it at the b'ball banquet his final year.
"Jimmy Butler will be a better pro than Kemba Walker, the UConn superstar who lead them to the national title"
Everyone thought I was nuts. Well?

[jeffreyweee]

Homer here-

Said it at the b'ball banquet his final year.
"Jimmy Butler will be a better pro than Kemba Walker, the UConn superstar who lead them to the national title"
Everyone thought I was nuts. Well?

And so far you've been wrong. What's your point? Love Jimmy as he's my favorite alum but he's still got plenty of improving to do to be a frequent starting 2guard like Wes.

[RawdogDX]

And so far you've been wrong. What's your point? Love Jimmy as he's my favorite alum but he's still got plenty of improving to do to be a frequent starting 2guard like Wes.

Pretty sure his point is that 2 year ago we would have committed him.  Last year we would have laughed at him and now we are shrugging and saying 'could be'.

[willie warrior]

So.... this plus Novak sucks and will be out of the league soon.  Huh.....

What part of Jimmy's game, exactly, is "suspect"?

Agreed. Novak will last in the league at least 5 more years, because 6'10" 3 point shooters are few and far between. Hell, Kyle Korver is still in the league and he is only about 6'6", because he can shoot.

Haven't seen Butler that much this year, but his defense looks good, and he has great slash ability. One area for him to work on would be his distance shot.

[GGGG]

Jimmy Butler's game is suspect and he should be coming off the bench, not starting.

His game isn't "suspect."  It is exactly what it is.  He's not going to be a super-star...likely not ever an All-Star...but he will have a real long NBA career unless he gets injured.

Long, smart, team-oriented guys who can guard multiple positions are very valuable in the league.  If Mbah a Moute can pull down $18M over four years, Butler is going to be just fine - he's a better offensive option anyway. 

[TallTitan34]

The worst move the Bulls made was a couple years back when they had to decide between signing Novak or Scalabrini to fill the last roster spot.

They went with the human victory cigar.

[jmayer1]

Wade will never play for the Bulls unless it's at a total bargain very late in his career. He is in a rapid decline.

A guy that shoots a career high is in rapid decline? Wade still had a better PER this year than Rose has ever had.

It will be interesting to see how Bulls fans react if Rose comes back and struggles, I think some may turn on him as there seems to be some sentiment growing against him in regards to his not coming back this year.