Can the Boston Celtics Acquire Jimmy Butler?
After landing the #3 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, can Danny Ainge swing a deal for a bonafide NBA Superstar?
Isaiah Thomas stood with Los Angeles Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, and Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach Brett Brown, awaiting the fate of the Celtics. Another year that Boston could not snag the #1 overall selection, but given the fact that Boston could have slipped to 6, #3 overall doesn’t seem so bad.
This draft is deemed to be a two-man draft. LSU guard Ben Simmons and Duke big man Brandon Ingram are the top prospects, and there isn’t really another player who any GM has fallen in love with.
What would make Danny Ainge’s job easier, is if by June 23rd an NBA GM does in fact fall in love with a guy who they want to take in that 3 slot. Dragan Bender, Jamal Murray, Buddy Hield, Kris Dunn. These guys are the most prominent names out there after Simmons and Ingram, but none are a lock to be 3rd. So is there a way Danny Ainge can pull a trade using that 3rd pick for a star?
It’s do-able. The Celtics have three first round picks this year, and eight overall. EIGHT. If there’s one thing that NBA GM’s want, it’s first rounders. The Boston Celtics sit at #3, #16, and #23. They are evenly spread throughout the first round and have an opportunity to draft a scorer in Hield or Murray, and a big man in Thon Maker. But for a team who’s looking to get back on top, the preference is to get rid of those picks for a much bigger prize.
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Is it enough for Jimmy Butler? Depends.
The Chicago Bulls own the #14 overall selection, and would rather get rid of Derrick Rose than Jimmy Butler. The Bulls could draft a point guard to play alongside Butler and dangle Rose in trade conversations. However, it’s been argued that maybe it’s time for Chicago to blow it up and rebuild. Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol are most likely gone via Free Agency, Derrick Rose‘s injury history offers more questions than answers.
Danny Ainge can package all three of those first rounders, Amir Johnson and Jonas Jerebko, and see if Chicago bites. The appeal to this deal for the Bulls would not only be those three first round picks, but that Johnson and Jerebko’s contracts aren’t guaranteed until July 3rd. So the Bulls can cut those guys without any hit on their cap.
With David Joerger now in Sacramento, it is unlikely the Kings trade DeMarcus Cousins. There’s no doubt Danny Ainge has already started to field calls, and if the Boston Celtics can’t trade that #3 pick…well… Michael Jordan was #3 overall.