Moments ago, Marc Stein of ESPN released a column with updates on Cleveland's trade pursuits of Bulls star Jimmy Butler as well as Indiana's Paul George. The latest from Stein's sources directly contradicts the report from Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times earlier today that suggested Butler is ready to leave Chicago and wants to join LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in Cleveland.
An excerpt from Stein's report:
Sources told ESPN on Tuesday that the Cavaliers have been notified that Butler hopes to stay with the Bulls and would be reluctant to commit his long-term future to Cleveland. Butler, sources said, remains intent on trying to lead the Bulls back to Eastern Conference prominence.
Round and round we go. If I'm pushed to lean in one direction, I'd say Stein's sources are more credible than Cowley's. Then again, Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago reported earlier today that the Bulls are actively shopping Butler. Not only that, one league executive told Goodwill Butler is definitely on his way out, whether that be to Cleveland or Boston.
Something else of note is that even if Jimmy does want to keep playing for the Bulls, that's not his call. If Gar Forman and John Paxson finally decide it's time to trade him, there's nothing he can do about that.
More updates as news warrants. There are still plenty of hours between now and the NBA draft on Thursday evening. You can be sure the Bulls front office will be active through the midnight hour.
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