Report: Cavs players warn off Butler

Newspaper says Bulls star told Cleveland situation volatile

A few days ago, Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls was reportedly pushing for a trade to the Cavaliers. Now, Cavalier players are warning Butler to stay away, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

This is one of the busiest weeks in the NBA because of the draft June 22, and although the Cavaliers have no picks in the two-round draft, they have been linked to trade rumors with the Indiana Pacers for Paul George and the Bulls for Butler. But then, in the worst possible timing, general manager David Griffin and team owner Dan Gilbert on June 19 mutually decided to go separate ways.

The Cavaliers have no leader when they need one most.

Without naming which players or identifying the source, the Sun-Times on June 21 reported “several of the Cavaliers who had been prodding Butler to push for a trade from the Bulls the last five days were now warning him to stay away from a suddenly volatile situation.”

Gilbert reportedly interviewed

Chauncey Billups on June 20 for the job of president of basketball operations, but no agreement has been announced.

Billups, a friend of Gilbert’s and a friend of Cavs coach Tyronn Lue, has no front office experience, though he was considered a leader during his 17 seasons as an NBA player.

The Sun-Times is also reporting Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving might consider pushing a trade due to what seems like chaos in the front office.

LeBron James could leave via free agency next summer. He has been rumored to be interested in signing with the Clippers or Lakers.

In a matter of days, the Cavaliers have gone from trying to find ways to catch the Golden State Warriors to just trying to hold the ship together.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE Bulls forward Jimmy Butler has been the subject of trade rumors.