The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly interested in sending the No. 5 pick in this month’s draft to the Chicago Bulls in a trade package for Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler. However, just as interesting is the potential pursuit from the Boston Celtics, according to ESPN:
The Boston Celtics, who hold the No 3 overall pick, are also known to have trade interest in Butler, while sources say that the Bulls are highly intrigued by Providence guard Kris Dunn, who is projected to be selected in the 3-to-5 range in the June 23 draft.
Minnesota Timberwolves interested in trading for Jimmy Butler of Chicago Bulls.
The key here is that the Celtics could look to make multiple moves in succession, similar to how they assembled the 2008 championship squad. Using assets to trade for Butler, then adding Al Horford in free agency might do enough to at least attract Kevin Durant’s interest in free agency. A Butler-Durant-Horford trifecta would require a lot more trade wizardry from GM Danny Ainge, but would get them the star power they have wanted so badly.
Even if they don’t pursue that set of moves, however, adding Butler would be a premium move. It gives them a legit go-to offensive option outside of Isaiah Thomas who they can play at small forward (moving Jae Crowder to small ball four) or at shooting guard with Avery Bradley either traded or moved to sixth man. It gives the Celtics a star, the biggest thing they need.
However, there have been multiple indications that the Bulls are planning on sticking with Butler as their franchise star despite frustrations about how he’s handled a bigger spotlight. The Celtics have the capacity to put together a trade package that includes the No. 3 and multiple assets around it, but the Bulls have typically always been trade resistant for major players.
Either way, it’s interesting that the Celtics are already out there with the No. 3 pick, with Kris Dunn having rejected both a workout and the availability of his medical records to Boston.
