The Chicago Bulls are unlikely to move All-Star guard Jimmy Butler this off-season, largely because there are no offers good enough to entice Gar Forman and John Paxson in unloading the three-time All-Star and now All-NBA team member. Butler, who was announced as one of the top-15 players in the NBA last Thursday, remains a subject of trade rumors, as the Bulls’ front-office flirts with the idea of a full rebuild.

Bulls beat writer K.C Johnson of the Chicago Times provided his insights on his latest mailbag about a potential Butler trade this off-season, and how the Boston Celtics value its no.1 overall pick in this year’s draft.

Butler trade update

Johnson, who already stressed in his previous reports that the Celtics would not trade its no.1 overall pick if they won the draft lottery, is sticking with this idea. According to the NBA scribe, general manager Danny Ainge really likes Markelle Fultz out of Washington. He views him as a major piece for the future rather than their current run. Moreover, he also gives them some insurance, someone who can step up to the starting point guard spot should Isaiah Thomas leave next summer.

“Nobody I’ve talked to expect the Celtics to trade the No. 1 pick. Beyond the fact they reportedly love Markelle Fultz, using the No. 1 pick builds them for the future. Don’t forget: They have the right to swap first-round picks with the Nets again next year. Why not keep drafting for the future, for when the LeBron James reign ends. (It will end sometime, right?),” Johnson noted.

As for the idea of Butler being traded to teams other than the Celtics, Johnson again shot it down as he believed the GarPax wouldn't rush trading their most valuable trade assets unless they get a deal hard to refuse. Johnson viewed the Sacramento Kings, who hold the no.5 and no.10 pick in the draft, as another potential suitor for the All-Star forward.

Just Danny being sleek

The veteran NBA executive is aware the value of his no.1 pick will only increase as the NBA Draft draws near. Ainge said he will keep his option open between and now draft night, triggering a bidding war among teams interested in the no.1 overall pick. As everybody knows, Fultz and Lonzo Ball of UCLA are the clear-cut favorites to go no.1 and no.2 in the draft order. Many NBA scouts consider these two guards talented enough to make an impact right away in the NBA.

“At the trade deadline we were trading away the possibility of the No. 1 pick, a 25 percent chance of the No. 1 pick, but that’s a 75 percent chance of not having that pick, and that’s how teams look at it, which is probably why we didn’t get a deal done,” Ainge said. “Now we have the No. 1 pick, and we will explore the value of it,” Ainge told Kurt Helin of NBC Sports.