I understood why the Bulls traded Jimmy Butler at the draft last year. I hated the events leading up to it and didn’t like the return in the deal, but I begrudgingly understood why it happened.
Now that Butler has demanded a trade from the Timberwolves after only one season, there’s a natural inclination to look back at the deal and redetermine the Bulls grade. Sure, the Wolves ended their 14-year playoff drought with Butler leading the way, but it’s looking they traded a handful of assets for a first-round exit and plenty of drama.