CHICAGO BULLS OFF-SEASON REPORT: Are the Oklahoma City Thunder In The Market For Jimmy Butler?

After the profound disappointment of losing Kevin Durant in free agency, the Oklahoma City Thunder are clearly at a crossroads.

Kevin Durant going to the Golden State Warriors in free agency may have created another team in the market for Jimmy Butler's services.

They are still built to win now with solid role players surrounding a Top 5 player in the NBA in Russell Westbrook.

But obviously, with the loss of Kevin Durant, they are going to need to decide whether they can bring in talent to continue to win now or like the Chicago Bulls, they are going to go the "restructuring" route by getting younger and more athletic.

It seems like the Thunder front office is trying to determine if Russell Westbrook, whose contract expires after next season, wants to stay in Oklahoma City, or not. This is how they will decide how to proceed.

If Westbrook doesn't commit to the Thunder beyond next season, the Thunder may have to put their All-World point guard on the market.

But what if Westbrook decides to stay?

If Westbrook stays and the Thunder must now try to bring in talent to compete in the Western Conference.

If that is the case, OKC will then be in the market for an All-Star caliber player in their prime to play alongside Westbrook.

So how about Jimmy Butler?

In exchange, the Chicago Bulls would ask for newly acquired Victor Oladipo, Enes Canter, other young assets and/or multiple draft picks in 2017 and beyond.

In exchange, the Chicago Bulls would provide experienced veteran role players to bolster Oklahoma City to compete in the Western Conference: Taj Gibson, Mike Dunleavy, Jose Calderon, or possibly new acquisition Rajon Rondo, giving them a starting line-up of:

• PG    Rondo
• SG    Westbrook
• SF    Butler
• PF    Gibson
• C    Adams

It could be a win-win deal that would help OKC recover immediately in the wake of losing Kevin Durant, and it would give the Chicago Bulls cap relief, future draft picks, and young talent upon which to rebuild.

After the trade, the Chicago Bulls would have a solid young starting line-up of:

• PG    Grant
• SG    Oladipo
• SF    Valentine / McDermott
• PF    Portis / Mirotic
• C    Kanter

But Chicago would also have extra draft picks, including for next summer's very talented one-and-dones, including Harry Giles, Jayson Tatum, and Josh Jackson.

What do you think of the Chicago Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder doing a deal? Let us know what you think in the comments below!