Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls reacts during the final minutes of their 102-93 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on January 20, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo : Getty Images/Kevin C. Cox)
As the National Basketball Association trade deadline draws closer, the trade rumor mill continues to swirl. And in what has become a long shot of a trade seemingly becoming close to reality as the Boston Celtics may land one of the biggest deals that would rock not just the Eastern Conference but the whole league, a deal involving Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls.
Adrian Wojnarowski, NBA insider for Yahoo Sports' The Vertical, said in a video that the Celtics, the team that is expected to make a trade in the past few weeks but still has not engaged in a deal, could offer some of its assets and the first round pick they have this 2017 Draft to acquire Butler but there has to be a consensus in the Bulls organization that they are going on a full rebuild.
However, sources claim that neither Butler nor Indiana Pacers star Paul George, whom the Celtics have shown great interest to, are going to be traded before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 23. The Bulls are still in playoff contention as they are at eighth place in the East while the Pacers are at sixth place and keeping their best players is reportedly their plan for a playoff push.
Butler might not be traded as the Bulls are reportedly seeking to make the playoffs behind 'Jimmy Buckets,' Chicago Tribune reported. Though the Celtics can offer the likes of Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Amir Johnson, Terry Rozier and Jae Crowder and a first round pick, Chicago wants to rebuild with its three-time All-Star on board.
If the Celtics cannot pull the trigger on either Butler or George, they can bolster their lineup by acquiring big men Danilo Gallinari or Kenneth Faried of the Denver Nuggets. They can also discuss a trade for Carmelo Anthony but his iso-heavy play proves problematic for the team-style of play of Boston.
