A potential trade sending Jimmy Butler from the Bulls to the Celtics will loom over deadline week, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical (Twitter link).
In a video interview, Wojnarowski says the teams have discussed a deal involving Butler, but talks haven’t progressed very far. He adds that Chicago officials have to to fully commit to the rebuilding process before they would be willing to give up Butler.
Wojnarowski says the trade would involve one of the Nets’ first-rounders — but probably not both — that Boston owns in the next two drafts. If the Bulls get this year’s pick, Wojnarowski states they can find a replacement for Derrick Rose, who was traded to the Knicks last summer. Washington’s Markelle Fultz and UCLA’s Lonzo Ball are point guards mentioned as likely choices at the top of the draft.
Teaming Butler with Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford would give the Celtics enough firepower to challenge Cleveland for supremacy in the East, Wojnarowski states, not just this season but for years to come.
Other highlights from the interview:
- The Clippers and Thunder are both potential landing spots for Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler. However, both teams are low on draft picks and may not have the assets that Denver would want in return.
- The Thunder were trying to acquire Kings forward Rudy Gay before a season-ending Achilles injury.
- The Wizards would like to add another wing player to their bench, with the Lakers‘ Lou Williams and the Nets‘ Bojan Bogdanovic as possibilities. Wojnarowski says Washington is willing to part with a draft pick to get veteran help.
- The Suns have been shopping P.J. Tucker, Tyson Chandler and Brandon Knight, hoping to get picks or young players in return.
- Chandler is one of several centers on the market, along with the Sixers‘ Jahlil Okafor, the Mavericks‘ Andrew Bogut, the Bucks‘ Greg Monroe and the Nets‘ Brook Lopez. However, there is limited interest in back-to-the basket centers. Wojnarowski speculates that one or two of them may be traded this week, but cautions that there aren’t enough buyers for all of them to be moved.
- Unless something changes, Carmelo Anthony will remain with the Knicks. New York management hasn’t presented him with any deals that would tempt him to waive his no-trade clause. Most of the teams that were interested in dealing for Anthony are now “looking in other directions,” but Wojnarowski thinks the Clippers might revisit their attempt to land Anthony this summer.
This click bait ass article
Wow if Boston pulls this off I bet it’s this year’s nets pick, Bradley, Yabu, Jackson, and the Memphis future first.
Absolutely no way this happens. Ainge is always low balling. Maybe he’ll acquire Butler when he’s 35, not now.
From a Chicago perspective, you are not going sell until you known the Nets pick is slotted at 1 or 2 for Ball or Fultz. You are not going to tank with Wade on the roster either. I think Bulter to Boston can and should happen, but it will be in the offseason.
Once draft order is determined, I can see the following deal –
BOS gets: Butler
CHI gets: #1 or #2 pick, Smart, Brown, Yubusele, Grizzlies ’18 pick
BKN pick, Smart, and Brown is WAYYYYY too much to give up. Isaiah, Brown, and Smart are untouchable. I’d say that a fair offseason trade for Butler would be. Bradley, BKN pick, Yubusele, and the MEM pick. With the BKN pick and Bradley, you’ve got your two guards for the future. Along with a pick and young talent to develope. I believe that’s a fair trade.
You understand the Bulls, or any other team w/ a top 10 player will need a generous offer to move their best player? For Boston, the only players that matter are Thomas, Horford and Butler. The rest of your roster are interchangeable parts.
Top 10 player? Butler?
I think the Bulls get 2 of the Nets pick, brown, and smart, along with Yabu, and other picks. Maybe Jackson and increase the other picks if we get McDerrmott or someone.
I think one of the Nets picks and a young player is an overpay
Brooklyn pick aND 2 guys with broken jumpers are too much for butler? One of the best 2 way players in the league? Share whatever you’re smoking with me.
Don’t agree with that. Especially considering the chemistry issues Butler is causing in Chicago. I’d rather keep the first overall pick.
Why wouldn’t you tank with Wade? He’s barely a factor as it is, and will most likely be gone by the offseason, or soooner.
Bulls would be better off signing Rose again (in the offseason), ditching the clubhouse cancer of Butler and his elderly butt buddy (Wade), getting some quality first round picks, and building up through the draft. Rose is still young, can still score, and can still slash to the hoop.
Re-signing Rose? Are you insane? gtfo of here with that ish…
If he’s willing to take less money, why not? The only reason he was injured all the time is because that trainer was terrible and Butler decided to pull a Communist regime-style overthrow.
And ran him out of town.
No way we are giving up 3 top 5 draft picks– nets pick, Jaylen, and Smart for Butler. If Danny does that, he will be outta Boston as our GM. Highway robbery there
More proof Boston fans don’t care about winning. All you guys talk about is your collection of college players. If you want to win now, you get a Butler or a Paul George. That puts you on equal footing w/ Cleveland. If you want to wait another 3-5 years, you’ll waste the opportunity.
Does Butler or George really put you over the top? I don’t think so. Neither are proven winners and are already calling out their teams.
Players who do that in Boston have a death wish so I’m not concerned about that.
But you think Fultz or Ball do? They won’t even be significant contributors for a playoff team for another year or two at the earliest. Also, IT, Bradley, and Smart are all coming up on free agency. Waiting until then basically cements the team with sticking with what they have and not making an outside move (due to lack of cap).
No, I don’t think Fultz puts them over the edge. But their core outside of Thomas and Horford is young. Smart is restricted. But you could get creative with Thomas and Bradley. Butler will be 28 in the fall, and you would still have the same cap issue without the young players.
More proof , please. How many titles do we have? Enough said. Look at how little Cousins went for and he is far superior to Butler. We are 3 games behind Cleveland , yes we are still a good bit behind but we are getting close and Heyward is coming in the near future as a free agent also
Lakers need to get a young player and a 1st round pick for Lou if not hold onto him and trade him during the offseason as he has another year on his deal. Now if you could get a 1st round pick for Nick Young id do that straight up
Nick young isn’t getting you a first round pick unless you take back a bad contract. He’s an NBA journeyman.
I could see the pacers using their first on him if it doesn’t get them anything better. It’ll be a 20 something pick
I doubt Nick Young nets a 1st round pick considering he can opt out of his contract this offseason.
Never say never and its not like he only got good this year. He a career 12(14 this year) ppg while shooting a solid 38% for his career on 3’s(41% this year). If a playoff team is desperate i can see them letting go of a 1st. Hell lol Did anyone expect The Dbacks to give up what they did for Shelby Miller.
Not to mention is a way better defender now
Nick young for a 1st rounder?? Are you friggin’ nuts??? Never in this lifetime or the next would any team be that STUPID to give up a no#1 pick for a journeyman player. Don’t be a moron!
Lou Williams for a first AND a young player? You definitely living in lala land.
How so? He has another year on his contract so hes not a rental. He is averaging almost 19ppg 39% from 3 while playing average D. Dude is Def worth that least a 1st and possibly a young solid player.
Lou is an undersized sg scoring points on a bad team. There’s no team in the league who’d give up that much for him.
I can see it because it would be a playoff team first rounder, plus a Jordan Mickey/James Young type of young player. Not someone super great. I could see it. Most teams would have to waive someone anyways so it makes a little sense to send a low ceiling prospect back in return.
When Jimmy Butler is traded to either Boston or Denver, Jahlil Okafor is going to be part of the three-way deal. Mudiay if its Denver. Bradley or Smart if its Boston. Perhaps Rozier and a 1st.
How about this proposal:
Boston acquires Jimmy Butler and 2nd Round Pick
Chicago acquires 2018 Nets 1st rounder, Marcus Smart, and 2017 and 2018 2nd round picks.
Too light. 17 Nets pick, Bradley, Yabu, a future first, 2 2nds, and Bulls give up Butler and McDermott.
Boston acquires: jimmy butler,doug mcdermott
Chicago acquires: 17 nets pick, 18 nets pick, jaylen brown,Avery bradley
If I’m the bulls, that’s the price and either you pay it or you miss your opportunity to actually win a title.
That’s about right. I think the two Nets picks are a bit much, I think 17 nets pick, Memphis or Clippers #1, Bradley, Crowder(instead of Jaylen due to salary). Your trades don’t work under the cap. Adding Mcdermott or wanting Jaylen instead would mean also having to take on Amir Johnson or other salary to make a match.
Boston’s Trade for a Championship:
Boston gets Jimmy Butler and Nerlens Noel
Chicago gets Jahlil Okafor, Jaylen Brown, and BKN18 (salary filler)
Philadelphia gets BKN17 and Terry Rozier
Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jimmy Butler, Al Horford, Nerlens Noel (w/Marcus Smart, Jae Crowder, Amir Johnson…)
Nah philly doesn’t get a Nets pick for giving up Okafor and Noel. Send them Yabusele and a 2nd rounder with Rozier.
If anything, the Nets picks would flip (Chicago gets this years and Philly gets next years).
Agree. 17 to Chi and 18 to Phi.
Chicago is only going to give up Butler if it includestill this year’s 1st round pick.
Boston fans are delusional. You are NOT winning a championship as currently constructed. You’d be getting a player that can slow lebron down as much as any other player in the league and you don’t want to get rid of jaylen brown and Marcus smart? Minimum offer I’d accept for butler is both nets picks and brown
Yall act like teams are just wanting to give away two way superstars for trash.
Hey they’re dreaming, trades only occur if both teams benefit or One is stoopid
Teams with playoff dreams need a scorer Lou Williams is ez to do he fills up buckets, great teammate and has friendly salary to boot. Give up enough to get him and win now.
Butler isn’t a top 10 player, but he’s a more valuable asset than any player on Boston’s roster, and certainly more valuable than any pair of draft picks they hold. I doubt, at the end of the day Chicago will make him available, but if they do, its only because of his supposed “flaws”, and Chicago will still call the shots in the deal. There are more packages of picks and mediocre players available than star players at 27 years old.
It’s more about his ego, immaturity, and lack of leadership skills. None of the young guys bought into him or think he’s a leader, and that’s for good reason…….because he’s not one.
Thank you Djones. Couldn’t agree more
I agree about Butler not being a leader but with Boston he doesn’t have to be. He can just lead with his play instead…
Those elements are continually overrated mostly by fans. If Stevens or Ainge thought there was anything there that mattered, then they wouldn’t be pursuing him. You can’t pursue him, and then expect a discount because you think he’s a flawed player.