The entire NBA anxiously awaits the ending of the story of Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. Whether it's Phoenix moving draft picks around to create a more appealing package to send to Pat Riley, Butler's most recent two-game suspension for activities detrimental to the franchise, or whispers of Zach LaVine potentially getting involved in the mix, more news reports are surfacing daily. The most recent additive is a looming blockbuster deal that would appease several teams. Milwaukee is looking to add a star before the deadline, the Suns are trying to acquire Butler, Chicago has expressed interest in moving LaVine, and Miami's hand is forced by Butler's hand to find him a new landing spot over the next two weeks. What's the latest in the most significant trade story leading into the 2024-25 trade deadline, and why would the Bulls pull the trigger?
A Massive Five-Team Blockbuster Forming
Per Evan Sidery, an NBA contributor for Forbes, a five-team mega-deal has broken ground among several front offices and could come to fruition in the coming days. Often, when massive stars are moved, neighboring franchises may join in to absorb cap space, draft capital, salary fillers, or move a star of their own. In this case, all four reasons are present. Sidery reports that the Suns would be moving Beal, the Bulls moving LaVine, the Heat shipping off Butler, the Bucks letting Middleton go, and a fifth and final team absorbing the mismatches in salary cap and draft capital for their efforts. The last team is unknown, but speculation says the Jazz, Hornets, or Wizards may jump in as a facilitator.
There is a potential five-team Jimmy Butler trade framework making the rounds today:
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 24, 2025
Suns = Jimmy Butler
Bucks = Zach LaVine
Bulls = Bradley Beal + draft capital
Heat = Khris Middleton + additional assets + draft capital
Facilitator = Unwanted salaries + draft capital pic.twitter.com/SjRTPoJ2LA
Very Thin Grounds To Make This Happen
Aside from lining the contracts up to fit each team's needs, the semantics of each former All-Star wanting to join these franchises are being overlooked. Beal's only tie to Chicago is Billy Donovan, who was his head coach when he played college basketball for the Florida Gators. Not long ago, Beal left the Washington Wizards solely to contend for an NBA title, something he surely wouldn't see the Bulls having the potential to accomplish. Butler would be satisfied joining the Suns, and LaVine would happily join a contender in the Bucks. Beal is the lone hold-up, specifically his no-trade clause, meaning he dictates his landing spot in any trade scenario. It's not plausible now to see why Beal would want to be traded to Chicago, and the speculated reasons are mediocre at best.
The Chicago Bulls are the favorites to land Bradley Beal, per @BovadaOfficial
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 6, 2025
Chicago Bulls +350
New Orleans Pelicans +600
Sacramento Kings +600
Portland Trail Blazers +700
Detroit Pistons +750
Miami Heat +750
Brooklyn Nets +1200
Los Angeles Lakers +1400
Los Angeles Clippers… pic.twitter.com/5uFIcgIXHL
There are logical reasons why Beal would waive his NTC for the Bulls:
— NbaTradeCenter (@nbatradecenter1) January 24, 2025
*Distance from his hometown St. Louis (one hour flight away)
*Chicago is a big city
*Beal played under Billy Donovan in college (2011-12 Florida) is on the record saying he’s one of his favorite coaches
If this blockbuster comes down to Chicago saying yes, would this deal benefit the franchise and its future?
