Sense from involved parties in Boston-Philly talks is Cs are all in. Checking physicals, poised to give No. 1 for package centered on No. 3
https://twitter.com/sam_amick/status/875833518600855552
Amick is rock solid. This is happening.
https://twitter.com/ForeverGreen_/status/875833013543858181?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fbleacherreport.com%2Fboston-celtics
The Celtics are trying to get multiple picks in order to trade for Jimmy Butler
(@AdamZagoria)
So, if this was true, he'd probably have number 3 this year and then two probable top-5 picks (Brooklyn and LA) next year in the draft. How many picks would Butler cost? I can't imagine he costs more than number 3 this year and something like Rozier, along with the matching salary.
Isaiah-Butler-Horford isn't beating Golden State. They're not even beating Cleveland! Add Hayward to that and we probably take Cleveland to 7, maybe even win...and go on to get swept by the Warriors.
I'm not a fan of that plan either, just trying to make sense of the logic being used here. I think Fultz + Hayward or Griffin is the best bet of seriously competing now while not mortgaging our future.
But for argument's sake:
Trade #1 for #3 and 2018 Lakers pick;
(In whatever order needed to work in the cap) sign Griffin and trade for Butler with some combination of trading AB, Rozier, Jackson, and the #3 pick;
Lineup of:
PG: IT, Smart
SG: Butler, Green (vet minimum)
SF: Crowder, Brown
PF: Griffin, ? (perhaps O'Quinn in a trade from NY)
C: Horford, Zizic
I think that group has a legitimate shot of overthrowing both Cleveland and GS, as long as we stay healthy. I think Butler can only command something like #3, Bradley, and Rozier in terms of value, so that'd leave us with two probable top-5 picks in next year's draft. If nothing else, we still have the Memphis and Clippers pick to sweeten the pot.
Of course, how affordable that group is going forward is sketchy, but I think they have a legitimate shot of winning it all while still not technically mortgaging our future by keeping two top-5 picks next year.
Still, though, unless Fultz's knees are sketchy, I prefer taking him and signing one of Hayward or Griffin this summer.