Some new NBA trade rumors ahead of the 2017 NBA Draft are suggesting that the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls could be attempting to make a Jimmy Butler trade. The latest report indicates that Boston could be trying to offer Chicago a bunch of Draft Picks in exchange for the Bulls' All-Star player. The latest rumors come just around the same time as other speculation involving the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia Sixers trying to get the No. 1 pick.
What's the deal?
Journalist Adam Zagoria sent out a tweet on Friday night which has everyone talking now.
Basically, Zagoria suggested that the Celtics are trying to get more first-round picks somehow so they can make a package trade for the Chicago Bulls' Butler. That immediately sent fans into a frenzy wondering about the possibilities.
While the deal is intriguing on its face, there have been several reports out, according to Bleacher Report's Tim Daniels, which indicate Chicago may not want to go into "rebuild mode" just yet. During the past season, the team barely made the playoffs thanks to a tiebreaker they won over the Miami Heat. However, there was potential shown with the trio of Dwyane Wade, Jimmy Butler, and Rajon Rondo. The team even appeared headed for a first-round upset of the No.
1 seed Boston Celtics until Rondo went down with an injury.
At 27-years-old, Jimmy Butler still has some good seasons left in him. He averaged 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists playing in 76 games last season. Not only that, Butler was said to have ranked among the top five players in the league in the Player Efficiency Rating at ESPN's website.
If Boston could figure a way out to acquire Butler from the Bulls it could elevate their roster that much more. Butler would join fellow All-Star Isaiah Thomas, former All-Star Al Horford, and a talented roster that includes Avery Bradley and rising stars such as Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown. However, one has to wonder if any of those younger stars might be part of a trade.
Boston in prime position
It's clear that the Boston Celtics are in the ideal situation right now for a franchise. Despite losing 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals as the No. 1 seed, the team has shown it has the ability to possibly contend with Cleveland. The Celtics are in need of at least another All-Star player to compete against the Cavs and Jimmy Butler could be that player.
The Celtics have also been mentioned in NBA rumors to have offers from the Philadelphia Sixers and Los Angeles Lakers for that top pick. That means no matter what, the Boston Celtics organization could come away making a huge move to improve their roster. Whether it's by drafting a future star like Markelle Fultz or adding an already established star like Jimmy Butler, it seems there are plenty of potential ways for this team to get a boost.