• Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler (Photo : Reuters/Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)

The Chicago Bulls reportedly received offer from the Boston Celtics for All-Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline. According to Boston Herald writer Steve Bulpett, the Celtics were ready to package two coveted first round picks to snag Butler, but the Bulls declined the offer.

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-The Boston Herald reporter clarified that it was the Celtics who initiated talks with the Bulls for a trade centered on the two-time All-Star. Celtics top decision-maker Danny Ainge was willing to send the Brooklyn Nets first round picks - which could end up in the top-3 this year and the Dallas first-rounder (top-7 protected this year).

"According to one source who was linked to a player involved in the potential transaction, the Celtics were willing to give up two first-round draft picks this year, the unprotected pick from the Nets and Dallas' choice, which is protected if in the top seven," per Bulpett.

-Pau Gasol has expressed his intention to re-sign with the Bulls this summer. The 35-year old Spaniard continues to put up strong numbers in his second season with the Bulls, averaging 17.1 points and 11.0 rebounds in 32 minutes per contest.

Gasol signed with the Bulls in 2014 with high expectation that this team would actually contend for a title. That hasn't been the case for the Bulls, who are neck-to-neck with at several teams for a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Nevertheless, Gasol stressed that he wants to stay with the Bulls for the remainder of his career.

"This is where I wanted to be and where I want to be right now. I don't want to give up on this team just because we're going through some difficulties and challenges right now," Bulls told K.C Johnson of Chicago Tribune. -Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose feels he's back at playing with confidence following his strong performance in February. Rose, who underwent multiple surgeries on both knees, put up a PER of 20.5 last month.


I just feel like I'm back," Rose said in an interview with Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago. "I'm just out there playing. Whatever I can do to get my team a victory, that's what I'm going to try to do. When I'm out there, they're giving me midrange [shots], they're giving me drives to the lane. Just mixing up my game and trying to play a solid game while I'm out there."