The Minnesota Timberwolves have acquired Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls in a draft-night trade. Butler was the subject of trade rumors since the season ended and will be reunited with former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau in Minnesota. The Bulls received the rights to No. 7 pick, forward Lauri Markkanen, and along with guards Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn. The Wolves received the rights to No. 16 pick, center Justin Patton, along with Butler.

Butler had said he didn't want to be traded, but the Bulls have been wanting to move him for quite some time. Due to this trade, Butler will no longer qualify for the super max contract, but he does get to play on one of the brightest young teams in the NBA. He'll immediately be the best player in Minnesota while having a chance to grow with their young core.

 

Going to Chicago will be rising shooting guard LaVine. LaVine was playing incredible basketball last season before going down with a knee injury. He's a dead-eye 3-point shooter and can jump out of the gym. If he's healthy, the Bulls have acquired one of the stronger guards in the NBA.

 

The champion Warriors didn't have a pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, but that didn't stop them from swooping in to take a player that they apparently really liked.

 

According to Marcus Thompson of The Mercury News, the Warriors paid $3.5 million to the Chicago Bulls for the rights to second-rounder Jordan Bell, the No. 38 overall pick in the draft.

 

A 6-7 forward, Bell averaged 10.9 points and 8.8 rebounds in leading Oregon to the Final Four last season as a junior. He'll likely play power forward or even small-ball center for the Warriors, who clearly liked him enough to fork over a hefty sum to get him.

 

With the status of David West, Zaza Pachulia and JaVale McGee uncertain as they enter free agency, Bell might get a chance to compete with James McAdoo and Kevon Looney for Golden State's reserve frontcourt minutes.