Jimmy Butler takes a shot over Jae Crowder. (Photo : Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
One of the biggest rumors in February's trade deadline was the Boston Celtics trying to acquire Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls. According to CSN Chicago, the deal fell through when the Bulls wanted Jae Crowder in the trade package.
The report noted that the Bulls also offered the two-time All-Star to the Orlando Magic with Chicago willing to pay an additional $2.6 million trade kicker to Butler. Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol were also shopped to several NBA teams during the trade deadline but no deals were reached.
Boston was apparently willing to give their two of their top picks in this year's draft to get Butler, per The Boston Herald. They killed the discussions once the versatile Crowder, who is a candidate for most improved player, was involved.
The 25-year-old swingman is having the best season of his four-year career. He's averaging 14.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Crowder was acquired by the Celtics from the Dallas Mavericks in the Rajon Rondo trade last season.
He is very vital in the Celtics rotation this season, helping them to the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference standings. They will be facing the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs.
On the other hand, the Bulls were one of the most disappointing teams this season. They fell way short of their expectations after the extension of Butler as well as the hiring of head coach Fred Hoiberg.
Chicago missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2007-08 season. The Bulls was very lucky during that offseason as they were able to get the first overall selection and pick Derrick Rose in the 2008 NBA Draft.
For this year's draft lottery, they have a 0.5 percent chance to get the first pick, per CBS Sports. The report by CSN Chicago also mentioned that Chicago had a deal with the Sacrament Kings in place regarding Gasol but was scrapped at the last minute.
The Kings were prepared to send Kosta Koufos and Ben McLemore to the Bulls for Gasol, Tony Snell and Kirk Hinrich, who was later traded to the Atlanta Hawks. The 35-year-old Spaniard will become a free agent at the end of the season.
Nonetheless, the Bulls can revisit the trade with Boston and increase their chance at the top pick as they will acquire the Brooklyn pick. They will also have additional picks and can go on a full rebuild.
Here is a video of Butler giving some props to Crowder, who is his former teammate back in Marquette.
