Rumor: J Butler to the Celtics in blockbuster being considered by Bulls

[SHAQATTACK]

God I hope we don't do this.  How much better is Butler than AB?  Now consider the salary difference.  No way this makes sense.

I agree Bulter is not a giant up grade over AB ......

Durrant is the goal...maybe ?

Durrant an't leaving OKC to team up with AB

[Kane3387]

Guys, this isn't a real rumor. From the intro to the quoted article:

Grab your imagination hats. It's time to hypothetically, and significantly, tinker with the NBA's competitive landscape.

Trades and free-agency signings will be our tools for this mission. We're proposing, then analyzing, deals and signings that would change the way we view certain teams, rebuilds and championship races.

These scenarios are not real or necessarily rumored. And they are deliberately ambitious. So open your minds and abandon your biases, because we're about to get weird.

So it's a fake rumor?   

Yes. It's not a rumor.

[Thruthelookingglass]

Not quite. Butler's contract, for a player of his talent and age, under the new CBA is a huge bargain.

Yeah, I do get that.  But man, $17-19 million a year to me is REAL MONEY.  AB's making what, half what Butler's under contract for over the same period?  I just don't know if it's enough of an upgrade for the loss of AB, Rozier and JJ as well as the picks.

[jpotter33]

Yeah, not a rumor. This was the exact BR article that gave me the idea for the Horford + Butler thread yesterday. It was all speculation for what should happen.

[danglertx]

God I hope we don't do this.  How much better is Butler than AB?  Now consider the salary difference.  No way this makes sense.

I agree Bulter is not a giant up grade over AB ......

Durrant is the goal...maybe ?

Durrant an't leaving OKC to team up with AB

Well if Durant says "do it and I'll sign" then done.  If he says do it and I'll consider you... no way.  If he gives no indication one way or the other... no way.  Butler just isn't enough of an upgrade at a position we are least in need of an upgrade. 

[Evantime34]

Please change the thread title, I  read it and got excited. Then I figured out it was made up and was disappointed.

However, the rumor is a good way to gauge what people think Butler is worth. I think it's a reasonable deal that I would make. It still gives us the 2017 and 2018 nets pick to improve in the future, while we get to keep Smart, Thomas, Crowder and Olynyk.

As Jpotter mentioned in another thread this might help us get Horford (especially if Atlanta trades for Noel). A core of Smart, Thomas, Horford, Crowder, Butler, and Olynyk should be enough to challenge Toronto for the second spot in the East and then we could add another good player like Hayward or maybe even Durant after that.

[Ilikesports17]

Not quite. Butler's contract, for a player of his talent and age, under the new CBA is a huge bargain.

Yeah, I do get that.  But man, $17-19 million a year to me is REAL MONEY.  AB's making what, half what Butler's under contract for over the same period?  I just don't know if it's enough of an upgrade for the loss of AB, Rozier and JJ as well as the picks.

Bradleys next contract will probably be in the 17 million dollar range

[chambers]

Whats the source for the rumor?

[ahonui06]

Whats the source for the rumor?

Seems like a very credible blog source lol 

[KGs Knee]

I keep wondering, from Chicago's side, why would they prefer Bradley instead of Smart? If they trade Butler they're rebuilding in earnest (or should be). Smart fits that timeline, Bradley not as much.

Is it that Ainge won't deal Smart? Or Chicago doesn't want him?

[Kane3387]

Trade machine loves it for Boston.


http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=johdxso

[Smartacus]

I keep wondering, from Chicago's side, why would they prefer Bradley instead of Smart? If they trade Butler they're rebuilding in earnest (or should be). Smart fits that timeline, Bradley not as much.

Is it that Ainge won't deal Smart? Or Chicago doesn't want him?

Only that they might be looking for a Celtics style quick turnaround rebuild. They know what they're getting with Bradley, Smart may be more talented but you don't know if he is a good fit with the coach or if his shooting will turnaround.

Bradley is pretty much a blue chip asset at this point. Young enough, on a great contract, with and established NBA game, and still room to grow. Not a bad piece to have when your rebuilding. Not too mention you could demand a higher pick to be included with Bradley than Smart.

[CelticSooner]

I don't think that trade helps us as much as people think it will.

Hurts our chance of having double-max cap space.  Butler isn't as dramatic an upgrade over Bradley as people think (Bradley might be a better shooter and apparently is a better defender according to the All-Defense rankings).  And the #3 pick, while looking grim, could reasonably end up someone better than Butler.

Double max cap space for what exactly?  I don't see a free agent super team out there waiting to form. You need stars to attract stars, the first domino has to fall first.

[mr. dee]

AB + #3 is already an overpay. I'd rather keep them if we are signing Durant.

[CelticSooner]

So the source from a bleacher report article talking about potential trades? 

Also, some of you guys highly overrate Bradley. What stars are salivating to come play with him? IT is the biggest recruiting pitch the C's have in terms of the roster.