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NBA Trade Rumors: A potential Celtics-76ers blockbuster could spark Jimmy Butler rumors again

By Michael Whitlow

Apr 26, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) shoots the ball over Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) shoots the ball over Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA trade rumors get a little bonkers, especially around draft time. But, if the Boston Celtics pull the trigger on a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, could they be lining up for a move to acquire Jimmy Butler from the Bulls?

Our good friend at SB Nation‘s Blog a Bull, Your Friendly Bulls Blogger, already hit on the NBA trade rumors that sent social media into a frenzy on Friday evening with the talks between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers.

The part we’re borrowing from him is this: let’s pretend that John Paxson and Gar Forman are paying attention to the talks that the Celtics and 76ers are potentially swapping the No. 1 and No. 3 overall picks in the 2017 NBA Draft less than a week before draft night.

Obviously, the Celtics have been the primary team in the rumors that Jimmy Butler could be traded before his team-friendly deal in Chicago expires after the 2019-20 season. Around this time last year, the Bulls were reportedly close to making a deal with the Celtics for Butler that would’ve brought them Providence guard Kris Dunn at No. 3 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft.

But, before we get into how this trade could affect the Bulls, let’s break down what in the world is going on between the Celtics and Sixers.

This was the original tweet that got the party started. ESPN NBA insider Marc Stein reported that he and Zach Lowe were hearing that a swap of picks (and more) could be happening.

Then, NBA breaking news god Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed that Stein’s report was accurate (and then some).

Then, a while later, USA Today Sports NBA insider Sam Amick reported this nugget.

That was followed by Lowe making an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter and said this.

“OK, but how does this affect the Bulls, though?”

Great question. Let’s get into that.

Nothing against Zagoria’s report, but … like … that’s obvious, right?

Let’s say this deal does go down and the Sixers get the No. 1 pick and send one future first-round pick (like their 2018 pick from the Los Angeles Lakers or in 2019 from the Sacramento Kings) to Boston. The Celtics still have the Brooklyn Nets‘ first-round pick in 2018 that will likely be a high pick next draft, too. They’d not only have a ton of picks in their possession, but they have younger assets that could be featured in a trade package for say … Jimmy Butler?

The Bulls are much further away from contending than the Celtics are and with the rumors of them looking to reunite Utah Jazz star Gordon Hayward with his former college coach Brad Stevens in Boston, but acquiring Butler also could get them closer to getting back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.

Next: Chicago Bulls Blurbs: The Post-Finals/Pre-Draft Edition

Here’s the thing(s) that must be brought into the fold, though:

  • It’s Gar Forman and John Paxson. Do you really trust them to get full value out of a deal for Butler, a top-15 player in the NBA today?
  • Jimmy Butler has stated he’s happy in Chicago and wants to be with the Bulls as recently as a couple weeks ago on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
  • Once again, it’s Gar Forman and John Paxson.

But, rumors will come about with less than a week until draft night. Anything can happen.

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