NBA Trade News: Bulls' Jimmy Butler to Clippers for Blake Griffin in latest trade scenario

The Chicago Bulls could be heading to an immediate rebuild this summer, with Jimmy Butler as a potential trade piece.

The Bulls are currently on the brink of being eliminated from the playoff race as they sit at ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a 39-39 record. If the Bulls miss the postseason for the first time since the 2007-2008 season, there is a growing sense Chicago would make a major shakeup in their roster, according to Basketball Insider’s Steve Kyler.

Kyler believes the Bulls are heading into this summer’s free agency with plans of pursuing top-free agents as part of Chicago’s possible rebuild. However, Kyler is convinced such move can only happen if the Bulls trade Butler and let go of soon-to-be free agents Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah to create a cap-space worth “$24.3 million [AU$32.2 million] to spend on new players.”

Butler would probably net the Bulls quality players, but if the team is really serious about getting back on track next season, considering they miss the playoffs this year, Chicago may need to get more than just quality role players, according to CSN Chicago’s Mark Schanowski.

"Yes, we've heard the rumors about Jimmy Butler's possible availability in trade this summer, but if the Bulls really are thinking about trading their best player, a deal needs to be centered around a bigger target than Okafor, like Clippers power forward Blake Griffin," Schanowski wrote. "Like all players, Butler has his faults, but he's still a top-15 or 20 talent in the league and shouldn't be moved unless the Bulls are able to make a home-run deal."

Griffin was heavily linked to trade talks before the Feb. 18 deadline following the All-Star forward's involvement in an incident that led to a broken right hand. Despite several good offers from NBA rivals, the Clippers were able to keep hold of Griffin, who has recently returned from injury in Los Angeles Clippers’ win over the Lakers.

However, there have been concerns in Griffin ruining the Clippers’ chemistry once he plays with the team in the playoffs. The Clippers were able to manage their winning ways even without Griffin, and there is a chance the team’s on-court harmony could change with his return.

“They need Blake Griffin to maximize whatever chances they have at a trip to the Western Conference Finals. He needs to be healthy and in rhythm,” Dan Woike of the OC Register noted. “To do that, he needs to play a lot of minutes in a short amount of time. And, Rivers and the Clippers just can’t take that risk. Not now. Not yet.”

A Butler-for-Griffin swap could be fitting for each of the team, assuming the Bulls do not make the playoffs and the Clippers do not reach the NBA Finals. Butler would instantly fill in as the Clippers’ star at the small forward position, which the team lacks for a long-time. Meanwhile, Griffin would be an assurance in case the Bulls fail to re-sign Gasol or Noah in free agency.

While there is no confirmation from both teams whether they really intend to trade their stars, it seems such scenario is imminent, especially if the Bulls and Clippers do not get to achieve their goals before the offseason.