The Bulls wouldn't trade him to LA. They'd trade him to Minnesota or someplace else he doesn't want to go. He'd refuse, so they're stuck with him. LA isn't giving up squat in return, because they know they can sign him without compensating the Bulls. We saw the Lakers take a huge gamble once, taking DHoward in trade. He bolted that summer as a UFA. Nobody's going to make that mistake again.
You asked about players/teams that took risk. The Bulls risked losing Jimmy for nothing. He could have signed the regular QO and left for zippo, nada, zilch in return.
You asked, you got a good answer.
But as BrianFromWA keeps posting, something like 3 of 38 big name UFAs have left their teams with nothing in recent years.
I guarantee you if Olshey traded LMA, half the fans would have been very pissed off. The other half would have been pissed off if he used a couple of 1sts he got in return for Thomas Robinson and Jimmer Freddette.
He actually did the right thing, which was to try to get LMA to stay. There really aren't many players you'd get back, even as 1st round picks, who'd be worthwhile in actual trade value.
I don't recall asking about players or teams taking the risk, ever. Because no one - in recent memory- has the history Lamarcus does.
Once again, for the LAST time - Butler NEVER requested a trade, he NEVER stated in a PUBLISHED ARTICLE that he HATED Chicago and he NEVER turned down a MAX extension to say, "I just want to look at my options." while privately cancelling all his endorsements and selling all his assets tied to Portland. They didn't truly risk losing him for nothing since his worst case scenario was to sign the qualifying offer, in which case they simply could've said, well, where do you want to go? We will trade you to them to get a draft pick, AT LEAST. That's better than NOTHING. Also, there were not PLENTY of warning signs that Jimmy Butler CLEARLY wanted OUT of Chicago based on - the things in bold, which are applicable to LMA's situation. Making it COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
Additionally, I'd say the risk of Jimmy BUtler leaving was mitigated by him playing out last year without an extension. Doing it two years in a row - AS HE STATED HIMSELF - he got what he was looking for ---- a max contract offer with longevity. LMA wasn't looking for that, HE ALREADY HAD IT.
Also, I wasn't looking to trade lMA this past year.I would've traded him to the Bulls in 2013, or the Sacramento queens for DMC - if that was ever a legitimate option. Once it got to last year, we were pretty much fucked. That I agree with.
Also the bulls would have no say in where Butler went if he was in LMA situation. The player gets to dictate by telling the team trading for them, "well I won't sign with you - hence Kevin Love and Dwight Howard going to teams of their choosing. Yeah, Dwight bailed on LA, but as you say, there is a 3/38 chance of that happening. But Dwight didn't have the history LMA has of hating the city he plays for.
The fuck up was not trading LMA for the Bulls godfather offer while it was on the table or the Cavs last year. Yeah, fans could've been pissed, but you know what? All Olshey would've had to say is - "LaMarcus didn't want to be in Portland long term. We had to make a move."
And all the fans would've understood, he wanted fucking out.