The Celtics Could Be Making A Big Play For Jimmy Butler

The 2017 NBA Draft isn’t quite here, but things are already quite busy with regard to the No. 1 pick. On Friday afternoon, reports began to swirl that the top pick, currently held by the Boston Celtics, could be on the move and that the Philadelphia 76ers were the primary suitor as they aimed to land Washington point guard Markelle Fultz.

While that discussion provided plenty of fodder on its own, there is a subplot developing that could make things even more intriguing. In short, the Celtics could be searching for a way to trade for Chicago Bulls All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler.

It has been an open secret for some time that Boston has interest in both Butler and Indiana’s Paul George but, at the 2017 trade deadline, the Celtics did not put together the “Godfather offer” needed to acquire either All-Star. While it would make sense that the Celtics could be poking around on Butler yet again, it would make more sense if a third team was involved and that is another situation where the Sixers could come in.

At this point, details are few with regard to a deal involving Butler, the Sixers and the Celtics. In fact, there are far more specifics when it comes to a two-team endeavor between the Sixers and Celtics given the presence of Philadelphia’s war chest of assets that also includes the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft. Still, the inclusion of Philadelphia big man Jahlil Okafor in this buzz makes a great deal of sense given the way the Sixers have explored his trade market in the past, and that could lend further credence.

Nothing seems too crazy to include at this point, and depending on how you value Markelle Fultz, it is conceivable that the Celtics have the top asset included in the entire discussion. Jimmy Butler is an established All-NBA talent, though, and the Celtics could conceivably make the biggest single impact on the NBA landscape this summer by acquiring him. Let the fireworks continue.