Al Horford and Jimmy Butler (Photo : TNS via Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics were presumed to make a trade before they could attract free agents. In reality, that process might go the reverse route.
The Celtics masterful fleecing of the Brooklyn Nets draft pick will keep them set for the future, but what if they have the chance to become a great team at the present?
They failed to make a blockbuster trade at the draft but that does not mean they're giving up. Their patience could pay off as the pieces of the puzzle seemed to fall into place for Beantown to sign Al Horford.
The Hawks are aspiring to build the Eastern super team to challenge LeBron James and the Cavaliers. They have already agreed to sign Dwight Howard on a three-year reportedly worth $70.5 million. After that, they also won the Kent Bazemore sweepstakes in a four-year, $ 70 million deal as well.
This will present a dilemma for Atlanta as Jared Weiss of Celtics Blog illustrated. "
"Because the Hawks only had early bird rights on Bazemore, they must use their cap space to absorb his salary. Therefore, they must renounce their cap hold on Horford to complete the signing."
There are talks that the Hawks want to trade their players in order to make room for Horford. That would present various problems as they would be trading from a position of need. Also, a frontline of Howard, Horford and Paul Millsap would cause a logjam at the frontcourt, not to mention tying up the cap in other positions.
It seems like the Hawks would have to choose between Horford and Millsap, and the latter looks like a better fit with Howard. Horford's other rumored destination is the Boston Celtics.
Now, here's a scenario. If the Celtics grab Horford, which they declared they are targeting regardless of Kevin Durant's decision, what if they can also try to grab another superstar?
According to Chris Mannix of The Vertical (h/t Pippen Ain't Easy) the Bulls wanted the Brooklyn picks for Butler.
"I think they tried hard on Jimmy Butler. I think they made maybe their best possible offer with Jimmy Butler," Mannix reiterated on video segment with CSNNE. "I think they did everything they could, but Chicago, from what I was told, kept going back and forth between teams and asking them or more. And at some point, you just have to stop if teams keep asking for more. I would imagine it was all or most of the Brooklyn picks."
The Brooklyn picks are a tremendous asset for a rebuilding team and the Celtics are wise for not giving all of them to the Bulls. But acquiring Horford changes the Celtics' dynamic from a team built for the future or a contender now.
Acquiring Butler will help them get the once-in-a- decade opportunity to sign Durant. Even if he didn't, the Celtics with Horford and Butler could challenge the Cavs.
Ainge drives a hard bargain, but he must realize that draft picks are not guaranteed. Even first overall picks can become a bust and the Brooklyn Nets can actually improve even with the odds against them, reducing the value of their pick swap.
If the Bulls ask for Marcus Smart or Jae Crowder, another player and the 2017 pick swap in exchange for Butler, should Danny Ainge refuse?
