The Boston Celtics appear willing to make a deal, but it has to be at the right cost.
One player the C’s have been linked to for a while now is Chicago Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler, and the rumors heated up around the 2016 NBA Draft.
Boston held the No. 3 pick in the draft, and it was well known that the Bulls wanted to trade up and select Providence College point guard Kris Dunn. But, according to Boston Herald Celtics writer Steve Bulpett’s sources, the Bulls also wanted two players, while the C’s only were willing to part with one.
That of course didn’t happen, and Bulpett pointed out it likely won’t happen now since the Bulls’ signings of Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo.
But that’s not the Celtics’ only trade option. They also have been linked to Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin and Jahlil Okafor. And while Boston certainly would have to pay a hefty price at least for Westbrook or Griffin, it apparently isn’t willing to part with one of its assets in particular.
“Another sticking point in that and in other deals Boston is talking about is that pick from the Nets next year (2017 pick swap),” a source told Bullpett in an article published Friday. “Danny will make it available in the right situation, but he’s not going to give it up with core players, too. That’s going to be a good draft, and that’s going to be a high pick.
“Everyone’s been talking about how Danny’s trying to make a killing out here, but when it comes to certain pieces you have, I get that you have to be careful. You can give up equal assets, but you don’t want to take away your best opportunities to keep things going down the line.”
Bulpett also reported that there have been no recent discussions surrounding Westbrook or Griffin, but an NBA general manager did have something interesting to say about Okafor.
“Oh, Danny definitely wants to do something,” the GM told Bulpett. “We’ve got nothing that really works with Boston, but I bet something happens there. … I still wouldn’t be surprised if something happened there (with Okafor).”
So, in other words, don’t fall in love with the C’s 2016-17 roster quite yet, Celtics fans, even if Butler appears to be off the table.
Thumbnail photo via Mike DiNovo/USA TODAY Sports Images
