Boston Celtics: 10 Potential Star Trade Targets
2. Jimmy Butler
The Celtics have long been mentioned as a potential trade destination for superstars, and Jimmy Butler has been no different. If the Chicago Bulls actually make him available (which they absolutely shouldn’t), the Celts have the kind of assets to make a potential Godfather offer.
Ainge would obviously be hoping it doesn’t come to that if he pursues Butler or any other star (cough, Paul Millsap, cough), but he also has quite a few intriguing options for a trade package without completely giving away the farm.
For one of the best two-way players in the NBA who’s averaging 24.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game and could help the Celtics slow down LeBron James in a playoff series, it might be worth giving up the farm anyway.
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.
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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 to be the 2017 first-rounder they’re owed from Brooklyn, even though it’s currently slated to be the No. 1 overall pick. 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. More than likely, Chicago would try to push for something like this:
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.
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.