PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 30: Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 30, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Bulls 99-93. 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler has been the subject of trade rumors since the Bulls were bounced from the playoffs after reports suggested he had a contentious relationship with head coach Fred Hoiberg and the organization.

Butler and Hoiberg have both dismissed the rumors and now, it appears the Bulls are going to stick with their All-Star.

Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com reports that while the Bulls have had discussions about trading Butler, they’re telling teams they want to keep him.

“A league source tells CSNNE.com that the Bulls, while still open to listening to offers for Butler, are telling teams that are inquiring about his availability that their plan for now is to keep him in the fold.

“And while there was some thought that a top-3 pick coupled with a few decent players might be enough to entice the Bulls to pull the trigger on a deal to trade Butler, CSNNE.com has been told such an offer would have to include at least one “legitimate, NBA starter” for the Bulls to even possibly consider trading him.”

“And that might be a stretch,” the source indicated”

The idea of trading the 26-year-old has always been a bizarre one. He’s by far Chicago’s best player and is signed to a reasonable long-term contract. Butler has taken over the mantle as the Bulls go-to scoring threat and is arguably the best defensive wing in the game outside Kahwi Leonard. The Bulls would be hard-pressed to replace him.

Now, as the source tells Blakely, the Bulls are justifiably asking for the moon in order to deal him. If they can get a lottery pick, a legit NBA starter and more for Butler, they’d have to entertain the trade. That doesn’t mean they should do it.

If Chicago is smart, they’ll keep Butler around and change the players around him. He’s not the problem, but he can definitely be a part of the solution in the windy city.

[NBC Sports]

About Liam McGuire

Social +Staff writer for The Comeback & Awful Announcing. Liammcguirejournalism@gmail.com