Butler will serve up offense for T-wolves

MINNEAPOLIS - The long-anticipated reunion between Jimmy Butler and Tom Thibodeau is on.

Two sources with knowledge of the situation told Associated Press on Thursday the Chicago Bulls had traded three-time All-Star Jimmy Butler and the 16th overall pick in the NBA draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the No 7 overall pick.

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal, first reported by the Chicago Tribune, had not been officially announced.

The trade brings together Butler and Wolves coach and president Thibodeau, who coached the Bulls for five seasons before being fired in 2015.

Butler gives Thibodeau the tough-minded scorer and hard-nosed defender he has coveted to complement a promising young core.

The Wolves paid a big price. Besides surrendering the lottery pick, they gave up a rising star in LaVine, who is coming off of a torn ACL and Dunn, last year's No 5 overall pick.

Butler played for Thibodeau for four seasons in Chicago, developing from an unheralded, late first-round draft pick into a perennial All-Star.

The two strong-willed workaholics clashed on occasion during their time together and Butler said during the Olympics in Rio last summer that it was a "love-hate" relationship.

But he also acknowledged his appreciation for Thibodeau's hard-driving style increased as time went on, especially when the Bulls struggled in their first season under Fred Hoiberg.

And according to a source, Butler welcomes the move to Minnesota to join his old coach and a team loaded with young talent in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.

The Wolves drafted Arizona sharpshooter Lauri Markkanen for the Bulls at No.7 and the Bulls took Creighton forward Justin Patton at No 16 for the Wolves.

Patton is a 6-foot-11 forward who was the Big East freshman of the year after averaging 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds last season.

When Thibodeau was hired as team president and coach last summer, he quickly set his sights on bringing Butler to Minnesota.

The two sides engaged in serious discussions on draft night last year, nearly reaching a deal that would have included LaVine and Dunn, a player the Bulls were very high on coming out of Providence, for Butler. The deal could not quite be completed and Butler went through a frustrating season with the Bulls, who brought in Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo in hopes of squeezing some more immediate success out of the group.

LaVine was having a breakout third season in the league when he tore the ACL in his left knee February. His rehabilitation has gone well, but the injury certainly complicated the Wolves' re-engaging Chicago on Butler.

Associated Press