Bulls GM: 'We did not shop Jimmy Butler'

Jimmy Butler's name populated trade rumors leading up to the NBA draft on Thursday, but Chicago Bulls general manger Gar Forman is adamant his star isn't on the block.

"We did not shop Jimmy Butler. We received calls. Did we listen? Of course we did. It's our job to listen," Forman told reporters. "We were in no talks with anybody. There was no discussion during the draft as far as trades."

After trading point guard Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks on Wednesday, the Bulls were reportedly in talks with the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves regarding a potential Butler deal.

The Celtics' package was believed to involve Jae Crowder and the No. 3 pick, while Avery Bradley's name was also tossed around. The Timberwolves were reportedly willing to move any players in the deal other than Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns.

"We read a number of things that are comical," Forman said. "When you have a special player like Jimmy, in order to move him it's got to be something that knocks your socks off."

Butler still has four years and $72 million remaining on his deal, with a $19 million player option for 2019-20. The 26-year-old is coming off a career year in which he averaged 20.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 67 games.