Cavs Working on Three Team Trade for Jimmy Butler

The Cleveland Cavaliers are working on a three team deal to acquire Bulls all-star Jimmy Butler. ESPN’s Marc Stein was the first to break the news that the Cavs are looking to acquire Butler.

The Phoenix Suns are rumored to be the third team involved in a deal according to the Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson.

There is no report on who the Cavaliers would be giving up in this trade. However, there is wide speculation that Kevin Love will not be a member of the Cavs when the season begins in October. He has been the centerpiece of trade speculation since joining Cleveland in August 2015.

Cleveland is not the only team in the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes. The Minnesota Timberwolves have also contacted the Bulls about a possible trade for Butler. Minnesota would attempt to reunite Butler with his former coach Tom Thibodeau.

This rumor leaks out just a day after the Verticals’ Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Cavs were discussing a possible trade with the Pacers for Paul George.

Butler’s contract would not expire at the end of the 2017-18 season like George. Butler would not be looked as a rental player the same way George is.

Butler has also expressed interest in playing for the Cavaliers in the past. During the recent all-star break he told ESPN that Kyrie Irving was his favorite NBA player and that he would love the chance to play on a team with him. Butler also added that he would enjoy playing with an elite shooter like Kyle Korver.

Jimmy Butler has experience playing with Irving. He played with Irving on the U.S. team that captured gold in the 2016 summer Olympics.

Whether the Cavaliers get either Paul George or Jimmy Butler remains to be seen. However, it is clear that the Cavaliers are not happy standing pat. David Griffin and company appear to be committed to revamping this roster to counter Kevin Durant’s move to Golden State last July.

This should be an interesting off-season in Cleveland no matter what happens.