As the entire Jimmy Butler saga in Chicago prepares to play out later this summer, there’s still a strong chance that he could be traded. There were rumors surrounding the All-Star heading up to February’s trade deadline, but the Bulls decided to hang on to their franchise player.

Now, following a first-round playoff exit and with widespread questions about the future of Chicago’s roster, it sure looks like Butler himself is making some back channel noise about acquiring fellow All-Star Carmelo Anthony.

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To be clear, this is an intriguing possibility. Assuming Dwyane Wade decides to remain in Chicago, the idea of adding Anthony could make some sense. We already know Wade and Anthony are friends. And with Butler still in his prime, this has the look of a potential contender back East.

There are, however, two issues here.

First off, both Wade and Anthony are on the back ends of their careers. At 35 years old, Wade is still going strong. He averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in his first year with the Bulls.

Though, there still has to be lingering questions about Anthony’s ability to live up to his contract on a contending team. Sure, he put up solid numbers for a bad New York Knicks squad last season. But at 33 years old and set to earn north of $54 million over the next two seasons, these questions are real.

Secondly, the Bulls cannot afford to give up future assets for Anthony. The idea of dealing potential long-term contributors for someone of Anthony’s ilk doesn’t seem too promising. Just ask the Brooklyn Nets how that has worked out.

On the surface, Anthony to the Bulls could make sense. But a lot would have to fall in place for this to work out, primarily the type of package the Knicks and president Phil Jackson would demand from his former team.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut

nixluva wrote:Seems like a viable option if Chicago gets creative and works a 3 team deal.

Chicago will have a ton of cap space. I'm not positive, but they can probably resign Wade and trade Rondo, Valentine, and the 16th pick for Melo if they renounce some of their lesser cap hold free agents. They have a ton of flexibility. That deal would be fair for both teams. Rondo would be cut. Valentine and #16 is a solid return.

CrushAlot wrote:Rondo and Rolo work on trade checker. Maybe the Knicks send O'quinn in the deal.

No. Why would we want those two? We want young players and draft picks only.

Knixkik wrote:

nixluva wrote:Seems like a viable option if Chicago gets creative and works a 3 team deal.

Chicago will have a ton of cap space. I'm not positive, but they can probably resign Wade and trade Rondo, Valentine, and the 16th pick for Melo if they renounce some of their lesser cap hold free agents. They have a ton of flexibility. That deal would be fair for both teams. Rondo would be cut. Valentine and #16 is a solid return.

I would be ok with that trade.

Nalod wrote:

newyorker4ever wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Rondo and Rolo work on trade checker. Maybe the Knicks send O'quinn in the deal.

No. Why would we want those two? We want young players and draft picks only.

He said Rondo would be cut. That makes sense. Rondo on this young team would not be preferred.
Rolo also makes no sense.

The constant rumor association when players are mentioned as "Friends" as a motivator is thin. Players basing movement on friendship seems to be more a media point than actuality.
Money and Winning I would think is far more appealing than buddying up.

Regarding specific places for Melo and interpretations of what is a fair trade, Nalod is pleased if any of the rumor to chicago being part of any discussion of melo proves accurate, it would imply teams have a desire for him and any active market where his demand is reasonable, will bring back a decent trade.
I hope that knicks apparent movement beyond normal due diligence of first round players might also imply that we can get a first round pick as any part of a Melo deal.

WE are quick to dismiss Lee's value but the fact is he is a solid pro and proven NBA comodity, where by a mid first round pick is not. We as fans at the same time tend to over value these picks because of the promise they hold. We could in fact draft a star player overlooked by others, or by luck, or draft a player who never leaves europe or is a bust. In any event its an "opportunity" and no luck is ever obtained without it.

Apparently, GMs do too because they get rid of Lee soon after they pick him up.

CrushAlot wrote:

yellowboy90 wrote:The Bulls would need Melo to get a buyout, Chris Paul to take a pay cut, and Wade to take a $5-10m to leave some money on the table to get a FA or two just to have a real chance at making a real run.

If I am a suitor for Melo, I wait to see if he is bought out. There are hardly any trade options that work with his salary, trade kicker and ntc. If I am Melo and I want out, I sit tight and wait to see if a buyout is offered. I also can't imagine Melo helping Phil out financially after the press conference.

Why buy him out put him on the bench. I'd rather want him to waive the NTC.

yellowboy90 wrote:The Bulls would need Melo to get a buyout, Chris Paul to take a pay cut, and Wade to take a $5-10m to leave some money on the table to get a FA or two just to have a real chance at making a real run.