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Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Could Trade For Him

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 23, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) stands on the court during the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Bulls 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) stands on the court during the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Bulls 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jimmy Butler trade rumors
Nov 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard / forward Jimmy Butler (21) is guarded by Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart (36) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have long been mentioned as a potential trade destination for superstars, and Jimmy Butler has been no different. If the Bulls make him available, the Celts have the kind of assets to make a potential Godfather offer.

General manager Danny Ainge would obviously be hoping it doesn’t come to that if he pursues Butler or any other star (cough, Millsap, cough), but he also has quite a few intriguing options for a trade package without completely giving away the farm.

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    • Celtics fans have cringed at the thought of giving up Marcus Smart or Jae Crowder, and this deal would probably sting since it’d involve giving up both. But at this stage, Smart is a backup and the Celtics would be launched into another stratosphere by upgrading from Crowder to Butler on the wing.

    Smart may reach his ceiling as an all-around pit bull who harasses opponents on defense and actually learns to score, but at the moment, he’s not where he needs to be for the Celtics to contend in the here and now. Boston would retain its two best guards in Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley, putting Butler on the wing with Al Horford in the middle.

    The power forward spot would still be an issue, especially with the underrated Amir Johnson also gone in this trade, but hopefully a tag team of Kelly Olynyk and Jonas Jerebko could fill the void until Ainge could swing another move for more help at the 4.

    The pick Boston includes might have be the 2017 first-rounder they’re owed from Brooklyn, even though it might be extremely valuable. The Celtics have plenty of future first round picks to choose from, but which one they offer could be the deciding factor if trade talks ensue between these two teams.

    For the Bulls, they’d be getting a franchise point guard who would be embraced by Chicago fans for his gritty work ethic and never-say-die attitude; a quality Butler replacement at the 3; another work horse in Johnson; and a future first, which could very well be a top-three pick this year if it’s the one from Brooklyn.

    To be perfectly honest, Boston would be better off making the leap by plugging their hole at the 4 with Paul Millsap, but if the Celtics are worried about re-signing him and Butler becomes available, Chicago’s star player is locked in on his contract through at least 2018-19.

    Next: 10 NBA Teams That Should Trade For Paul Millsap

    The potential obstacles here would be another team swooping in before Boston can act, the Celtics being hesitant to trade for a wing when they’ve already got Crowder/really need a 4, and the obvious fact that Butler might not be on the trade block at all.

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