Celtics in on Butler negotiations (Via CBS)

[crimson_stallion]

Wouldn't be surprised if the Bulls wanted Bender to go with Rose. If they wanted Dunn, maybe Rose gets dealt too.

C's trade Smart/Amir/#3/couple 2nd rounders for Butler.

Butler has a trade kicker that starts in July, so Draft night would be the time to deal him.

Rose is cooked. Apparently the Bulls want to move Butler though because he's become a sort of prima donna with locker room issues.

The reports say nothing at all about Butler becoming a 'Prima Donna' - quite the opposite in fact. 

The report was that certain veterans on the team (*cough* Noah *cough* Rose *cough*) refuse to take part in practice - I guess because they feel practice is beneath them.

Reportedly Butler had an issue with that because:
1) He is the type of guy who busts his butt every day, no matter if it's practice or game
2) The Bulls were struggling to make the playoffs, so they couldn't really afford to have guys taking practices off

Apparently when Butler tried to make a point about those guys not working in practice, they basically pulled rank and did the whole "we've been here longer then you, so we'll do what we want".

Reportedly Pau Gasol was 100% on Butler's side in this, and to be honest I would be too.  If I were in Butler's shoes and I had guys on the team getting paid $10m - $20m a year, and not putting in 100% effort, on a team that's struggling, then sorry but I would be ticked off too.

I don't see how anybody could hold that situation against Butler...if the stories that have come out are true then he is 100% in the right, and it makes me sick that people give guys like Noah and Rose a free pass to be lazy just because they are long term veterans on the team.

I never heard about Pierce, Allen or Garnett displaying that type of attitude, even when they were physically taxed in their mid 30s.  It's ridiculous that the Bulls organization should tolerate that type of attitude.

[crimson_stallion]

How dare you Kris Dunn. We will remember this...

If Red asks you to step onto the parquetry, you you damwell graciously accept. Little snot.

HA! TP4U

I dont want Butler...

I can't imagine why not. He's an all star shooting guard, is tall and long enough to cover 3s, quick enough to cover point guards, and has a good contract relative to the new cap. Oh and he can shoot, drive, handle the ball and gets to the line. Do you not like his hair or something?

Count me in for #3 and Avery. I'm not moving Crowder, he's too valuable to our team and his contract is ridiculous over the next 4 years.

Also no way Wiggins is involved. That is just nonsense.

Apparently there it is somewhat of a turnoff to find a guy who has tireless work ethic, almost perfect physical attributes for his position, and who contributes at a top 10 level at his position on both ends of the court.

Beats me.

[Smartacus]

How dare you Kris Dunn. We will remember this...

If Red asks you to step onto the parquetry, you you damwell graciously accept. Little snot.

HA! TP4U

I dont want Butler...

I can't imagine why not. He's an all star shooting guard, is tall and long enough to cover 3s, quick enough to cover point guards, and has a good contract relative to the new cap. Oh and he can shoot, drive, handle the ball and gets to the line. Do you not like his hair or something?

Count me in for #3 and Avery. I'm not moving Crowder, he's too valuable to our team and his contract is ridiculous over the next 4 years.

Also no way Wiggins is involved. That is just nonsense.

Apparently there it is somewhat of a turnoff to find a guy who has tireless work ethic, almost perfect physical attributes for his position, and who contributes at a top 10 level at his position on both ends of the court.

Beats me.

Interesting for some to suggest that a guy would have a limited ceiling when he has surpassed by leaps and bounds any ceiling anyone thought he would ever have..

Jimmy butler is worth the farm, sell it for him.

I'd do #3, Avery, either Smart or Crowder, and whatever else it would take to get the deal done. Rozier is ready to learn to become first guard off the bench

[LGC88]

I don't think Thibadeu wants anything to do with the Bulls front office.

I'd say the Bulls leaked this to pump up a Celtics offer.

Yes, a likely scenario.

Maybe Dunn is promised at Minny. If I'm Dunn, I'll do anything in my power to be picked by them (Rubio is gone next season). Ideal place for Dunn.

[j804]

I actually think the TWolves rumor was a smokescreen aimed at the Cs. Basically saying, we have other teams with high picks who want Jimmy. You need to get serious if you want him.

I doubt it isn't Thibs there they always liked each other it seemed

[JOMVP]

I agree with the Minnesota rumors being kind of bogus. Butler is a great player and those that aren't willing to give up Bradley and #3 for him are living in a tree but I do not give up #5 and Wiggins for him. Wiggins is turning into the player we thought he would and he's still young with time to grow, plus you have the opportunity in adding another great young players at #5 on top of that young core? You'd be insane.

I think they would do like Levine, Pekovic, and #5 but I think #3, Bradley and another future consideration would be a better haul.

[Alleyoopster]

My guess Chicago wants someone like Bradley, the number 3 plus the NJ picks. Pray and hope Danny's not that dumb to accept. Also, feel Butler's injuries last year may be more serious than what we've been told. Thus, Chicago is willing to let him go. 

[LGC88]

My guess, Butler wants out in Boston and chicago FO is trying to raise Ainge's low ball offer.
100% sure Ainge hasn't offer #3 + AB (YET)

[CoachBo]

Seems to be little doubt the Bulls want Dunn, so it would be simple for Danny to knee-cap Minnesota.

Just tell the Bulls they can deal with us for the 3, or we're taking Dunn. I like him better than any other option in the draft, and taking him frees us to move Smart.

[slamtheking]

My guess Chicago wants someone like Bradley, the number 3 plus the NJ picks. Pray and hope Danny's not that dumb to accept. Also, feel Butler's injuries last year may be more serious than what we've been told. Thus, Chicago is willing to let him go. 

#3 with either AB or Smart with maybe #23 this year or the C's pick in 2018 would be about as high as I go (unless they're also looking for Hunter/Young/Mickey and/or some second rounders).

Nets picks for the next 2 drafts aren't going anywhere.  those are gold. 

[colincb]

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA 10h10 hours ago

I am close with Butler - Bulls spoke to him prior to lottery and he's not the guy they are looking to trade.

[dreamgreen]

My guess Chicago wants someone like Bradley, the number 3 plus the NJ picks. Pray and hope Danny's not that dumb to accept. Also, feel Butler's injuries last year may be more serious than what we've been told. Thus, Chicago is willing to let him go. 

#3 with either AB or Smart with maybe #23 this year or the C's pick in 2018 would be about as high as I go (unless they're also looking for Hunter/Young/Mickey and/or some second rounders).

Nets picks for the next 2 drafts aren't going anywhere.  those are gold.

Agreed.

I'd be willing to get rid of basically all our picks this year, we have enough young guys. Regardless we still need bigs and I do not want Sully back no matter what.

[BDeCosta26]

I have no idea how he averaged almost 17 points a game this year.  The team does not use him in any capacity.  The fact that he did average almost 17 ppg on a team that pretends he's not on the court leads me to believe that Love is still a very capable player. 

I just watched Lebron and Irving play hero ball for 48 minutes.  Love needs to get the heck out of there or he will waste his whole career.  I think under Brad's coaching Love is a top 10 player in this league.

I fully agree, but, in all fairness, Love did sign that long term deal to stay in Cleveland after playing a full season with those guys, so he is partly to blame for being wasted. He took the money over a better role for himself.

I imagine he signed that deal for the extra year of max money. He's known for a while it's unlikely he finished out that contract in CLE.

[saltlover]

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA 10h10 hours ago

I am close with Butler - Bulls spoke to him prior to lottery and he's not the guy they are looking to trade.

The Bulls front office does not have the best record about being upfront with their personnel of late.

Also, "looking to trade" and "willing to trade for the right offer" are two different things.  Given the rumors of the Bulls supposed asking price, it is clearly the latter for Butler.

[jambr380]

I have no idea how he averaged almost 17 points a game this year.  The team does not use him in any capacity.  The fact that he did average almost 17 ppg on a team that pretends he's not on the court leads me to believe that Love is still a very capable player. 

I just watched Lebron and Irving play hero ball for 48 minutes.  Love needs to get the heck out of there or he will waste his whole career.  I think under Brad's coaching Love is a top 10 player in this league.

I fully agree, but, in all fairness, Love did sign that long term deal to stay in Cleveland after playing a full season with those guys, so he is partly to blame for being wasted. He took the money over a better role for himself.

I imagine he signed that deal for the extra year of max money. He's known for a while it's unlikely he finished out that contract in CLE.

It's also possible he felt like he 'had' to since CLE just traded Wiggins for him. It might make him look really bad if he bolted. Also, there was reportedly pressure from Lebron - knowing he was at least in a winning situation, was making top dollar, and wasn't making the Cavs look really stupid for trading Wiggins all likely contributed to his decision.