NBA Trade Rumors: Bulls is Prepared for the Departure of Jimmy Butler; Carmelo Anthony Accepts His Fate

Chicago Bulls is reported to be ready to accept Jimmy Butler's decision as he can become a free agent in 2019. While in New York, Carmelo Anthony finally accepted his reduced role and playing time for the Knicks.

Jimmy Butler is the most influential player for Chicago Bulls. He is the key and the most important factor that can persuade Dwyane Wade to return home to Chicago Bulls. However, in the next two years, his five-year and $95 million contracts will come to an end, and he will receive the player option to become a free agent. The Bulls must be ready to let him go if Butler chooses to go to another team.

However, the 27-year-old wing player does not seem to be ready to relocate his home stadium to another place than United Center, Chicago. The trade rumor was first re-ignited by The Ringer columnist Kevin O'Connor. In his column on Friday, he exercised a hypothetical scenario of Butler trade for Chicago Bulls to obtain point guard Markelle Fultz from University of Washington Husky, who is predicted to become the number one pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. At the moment, it is still too early to speculate the draft that will happen in the next two years, as there are too many variables will change.

Meanwhile, in New York, Anthony is reported to accept his reduced role in New York Knicks. The 6'8" forward said that he is at peace with a less role to let the young players take more playing time as reported by ESPN. Anthony said that he understood what the Knicks management tried to tell him.

"I see the writing on the wall. I see what it is," the 32-year-old player said regarding his understanding of his situation. He later added that he saw what the management wanted to do and he just had to accept it. Therefore he can be at peace with the decision. Watch his interview with ESPN regarding his acceptance of reduced role in the Knicks below: