Why couldn’t Jimmy Butler be a part of the Denver Nuggets? There’s obviously no talk of this happening right now but there’s also no reason that talk couldn’t start. The Nuggets have more valuable trade assets as well as more draft picks than the Cleveland Cavaliers. Not to mention that they are in a different conference than the Chicago Bulls. While the other possible trade partner, the Boston Celtics, have more assets than the Nuggets, they’re still in the same conference as the Bulls.
It doesn’t seem that conference competition has been a big factor for the Bulls so far when looking for a trade partner, but it really should be. Why shoot yourself in the foot by gaining assets and rebuilding just to not be able to get by Butler’s new team because you helped stack them? If the Bulls are smart they will either keep Butler or shop him to teams with valuable assets outside of their conference who are also outside of contending right now.
Wait a minute, a western conference team with valuable assets and isn’t currently contending? Sure sounds a lot like the Denver Nuggets.
Who Would Be Gone
Wilson Chandler and Will Barton are a small forward and shooting guard, respectively, that could certainly hold down the fort at Butler’s vacant spot on the Bulls roster. The two would fit right in with Chandler taking over the starting small forward position. Will Barton would be able to give Chicago quality sixth man minutes and rest for Dwyane Wade.
But maybe, just maybe, the Bulls have strong faith in Paul Zipser pulling through as its’ small forward of the future. In that case, the Nuggets could instead sell the Bulls on embracing the idea of potential by throwing in Emmanuel Mudiay and its’ No. 13 overall pick in a deal. With current undersized backup point guard Isaiah Canaan fully living up to his name as he fires at will. The Bulls may want a change of pace with an over-sized point guard with virtually no 3-point shot whatsoever. Wait did I just describe Michael Carter-Williams? It’s alright, Mudiay’s younger so he must have loads more “potential”.
Who Would Fit in Chi-Town?
But let’s just say Robin Lopez’s hair gets too long and he can no longer see when he plays. Not an issue because the Nuggets can fix that problem in a cinch. Newly acquired Mason Plumlee or even undersized big man, Kenneth Faried, would be perfect replacements. That first round pick would have to be throw in with both of them, but that’s a small price to pay to get Jimmy Butler in return.
Moral of the story is that any roster hole on the Bulls can be filled by the Nuggets and therefore a trade should be done between the two of them for Butler. This obviously won’t end up happening but before we stop fantasizing about it, just remember that Chris Paul has a meeting with the Nuggets. I’ll leave you with this to think about: “The Point God”, “Jimmy Buckets”, and “The Joker” on the same team? The Warriors sure would get a run for their money.
