Kamil Krzaczynski/AP
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls completed the first big trade of Thursday’s NBA Draft, according to reports.
The Wolves are landing Jimmy Butler and Chicago’s 16th draft pick in exchange for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and the seventh overall pick.
The deal looks like an immediate win for the Wolves, who land a legitimate star in Butler to pair with Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Butler began blossoming on the Bulls under Tom Thibodeau, who is now coach and president of basketball operations of the Wolves.
Butler adds a big scoring punch to the Wolves, he’s one of the league’s better perimeter defenders and could pair nicely on the wing next to Wiggins. Adding the 16th pick in a deep draft class only improves the Wolves’ haul.
The Bulls, meanwhile, officially enter rebuilding mode, sending their best player for a decent, if not somewhat underwhelming haul. LaVine is the star of the return, an athletic combo guard who has improved his ball-handling and shooting in his three years in the league. He is currently working his way back from a torn ACL in February.
Getting the seventh pick, however, could help the Bulls jumpstart their rebuild, and they could use it to target a number of positions.
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