Twitter Explodes as Bulls Trade Jimmy Butler for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, Pick

Featured ColumnistJune 23, 2017

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 26: Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls warms up before the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2017 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

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The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off a stunner Thursday when they reportedly agreed to a trade with the Chicago Bulls that will send Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the seventh pick in the draft to the Windy City in exchange for Jimmy Butler and the 16th pick, according to the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson and The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Chicago is finalizing a deal to send Jimmy Butler to Minnesota, per @WojVerticalNBA https://t.co/fgRJFs9LHx

Naturally, the basketball universe erupted in reaction to the blockbuster, with NBA.com's David Aldridge the first to marvel at Minnesota's new core featuring Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins:

David Aldridge @daldridgetnt
Wolves are gonna be…wow. And a very good return for Chicago, which can start to rebuild in earnest w/new backcourt and Lottery pick.

However, the feedback wasn't particularly positive for the Bulls, who are now in a full-on rebuild:

Brian Cleavage @torqpenderloin
I just tried doing the Bulls moves in NBA 2k17 and the console fired the disc at 120 mph into my skull. It’s really lodged in there.

Tom Fornelli @TomFornelli
You traded Butler for a 23-year old PG that can’t shoot, and a 22-year old guard that relies on his athleticism coming off a torn ACL.

Dan Wolken @DanWolken
They’re going to win 18 games next year https://t.co/7v3ZGzqwgu

Chris Herring @Herring_NBA
I don't really know what the Bulls are doing, fam

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Former Bulls star Scottie Pippen chimed in on the loss of Butler specifically:

Scottie Pippen @ScottiePippen
Hate to see @JimmyButler go. One of the @NBA's best two way players who has come a LONG way. Thibs is fortunate to get him back.

There was also an immediate focus on Dwyane Wade's decision to reportedly opt into his $24.8 million player option for next season now that the Bulls are entering a rebuilding period:

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Dan Favale @danfavale
when you realize it's not a dream, and you actually just opted in to play for a Bulls team that traded Jimmy Butler https://t.co/Jdba5l6qcb

Royce Young @royceyoung
Wonder how Dwyane Wade feels about picking up that option now...

Here's a look at the best of the rest, with a focus on the Bulls' decision to use the seventh pick on former Arizona Wildcats sharpshooter Lauri Markkanen:

Rodger Sherman @rodger_sherman
They just made Lauri Markkanen do a Timberwolf howl at the in-arena interview booth. He is not going to play for the Timberwolves

Camron Smith @camronsmith
Bulls fans can't be upset w/ the decision to grab Lauri Markkanen. You've put up w/ Niko Mirotic far too long Markkanen is WAYYYY better

The Bulls have a long way to go in their rebuild now that Butler is out of the picture, but they collected a slew of young, cost-controlled assets on Thursday night who can give the team a foundation for years to come.

Moving forward, the focus will be on patience as Dunn and Markkanen develop and LaVine recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in February before the Bulls deploy him as a featured scorer.