Bulls asking price on Jimmy Butler remains 'basically unobtainable'

Bulls asking price on Jimmy Butler remains ‘basically unobtainable’

By Joe Cowley

Bulls general manager Gar Forman is either playing the ultimate game of trade chicken or has no intention of looking to deal star player Jimmy Butler.

That was the feeling from several NBA front offices Wednesday as the asking price for Butler remained “basically unobtainable.’’

Multiple teams are interested in the three-time All-Star, and Forman still has a window to lower his demands if he wants to get a deal done by the end of the draft.

Meanwhile, it has been a crazy week for Butler. The Sun-Times reported Tuesday that he had been receiving calls and messages from Cavaliers players and personnel to push the Bulls’ front office into trading him. But Butler was warned to stay away from the Cavs by Tuesday night because of the front-office chaos and uncertainty hanging over the Eastern Conference champions.

While the feeling from Cavs players was that Butler was all in on joining them initially, a source close to the situation said Wednesday that Butler already was refocused on getting together with Dwyane Wade overseas this week and continuing to make the necessary calls with the hope of improving the Bulls’ roster.

Wade already has opted in for $23.8 million, making sure that two of the “Three Alphas’’ will be reunited.

The Bulls can pick up point guard Rajon Rondo’s deal for

$13.4 million or opt to buy him out for $3 by the end of the month, making him a free agent. If they clear out their other free agents and Nikola Mirotic leaves, that could leave the Bulls close to

$24 million to add a player.

While Wade and Butler have no issues with Rondo personally, they would like to add a point guard who can be a consistent outside threat. It would fit their drive-and-kick games better, as well as allow them more freedom to handle the ball.

That’s where Kyle Lowry and Kyrie Irving come in.

Butler has become friends with both players while playing at All-Star Games and the Olympics.

Lowry would be the more realistic target, especially since he opted out with the Raptors. Lowry also is coming off a season in which he shot 41 percent from three-point range. But would the 31-year-old leave at least $6 million a year on the table to join a Bulls roster with its own question marks?

Irving has made it known that he would be interested in playing in Chicago, especially if the Cavaliers’ dynasty begins falling apart and LeBron James decides to look elsewhere.

The third scenario in all this Bulls chatter is they make the 16th overall pick, lock up Rondo and nothing changes.

If that’s the case, the real drama will start in training camp.

Follow me on Twitter @suntimes_hoops.

Email: jcowley@suntimes.com