NBA Free Agency: 5 Most Impactful Trades in the summer of 2017

#3 Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves

Golden State Warriors v Minnesota Timberwolves

After 7 years of getting bounced out in the playoffs, the Bulls realized that they needed to restructure their roster in order to make a bid to contend in the future. The first step in their rebuilding process was to obtain a lottery pick, and then they had to stockpile some young talent and allow them to develop through a certain period of time.

They didn't own a lottery pick in 2017, nor did they have any young talent at the time. Thus, they had to trade away their best asset and commit to a full-scale rebuild, which is how Butler moved to Minneapolis and joined the Minnesota Timberwolves, who gave up their 2017 first-round pick, Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn.

Butler bolstered the Wolves roster instantly, becoming their lifeblood on both sides of the court. They made the playoffs for the first time in 14 years, and they look like a good young team capable of doing much more in the future.

On the other hand, the Bulls made a great selection in Lauri Markkanen, who was a member of the All-Rookie Team over this season. Kris Dunn took a huge leap, while Zach LaVine is the best shooting guard available in free agency this summer and the Bulls will look to retain his services for the foreseeable future. It has all the makings of a win-win trade, as both teams realigned their rosters with their short-term as well as long-term futures in mind.