Steve Bulpett: Celtics Have Interest In Butler, Okafor Trade & Other Options

[WolfofCausewayStreet]

According to NESN,RealGM, Bulpett, Danny Ainge is interested in/pursuing Jimmy Butler and Okafor. Couldn't care less about Okafor, but Butler would be nice.

There's a higher chance we trade for Butler than we were getting Kevin Durant.

Butler makes us tied with Cleveland in the East, imo. Jimmy would flourish here.

[jambr380]

Here's the original report:

http://nesn.com/2016/07/nba-trade-rumors-jimmy-butler-jahlil-okafor-still-options-for-celtics/

Not against this at all. I wanted Okafor way more than Noel - it just depends on what we would have to give up. Now that we have Horford, he has a true professional to learn from.

Butler speaks for himself...again, the price, though.

[Smartacus]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2016/07/bulpett_next_steps_for_celtics_aren_t_so_clear_now

Per Realgm...
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/242711/Celtics-Continue-To-Have-Interest-In-Jimmy-Butler-Jahlil-Okafor-Trade

The Boston Celtics continue to work the trade market with Jimmy Butler and Jahlil Okafor still available.

A path to a trade will be more difficult than it was on draft night as both the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers wanted the No. 3 pick to select Kris Dunn.

The Celtics signed Al Horford in free agency, which gives them a legitimate All-Star who is also at the later stage of his prime.

Boston is holding the line on their trade offers from before the draft and are ready to move forward if any teams come down to their price. There are indications that the Celtics may still be able to do business with the Bulls and 76ers.

Nothing earthshattering here, obviously our interest in Jimmy Butler should have only increased with the Horford signing but it is interesting to consider how our interest in Okafor might have changed now that we have Horford. I know I'd feel a lot better about having Jah now that Al is here to keep an eye on him.

What do we think?

[j804]

Didn't Bulpett say were more looking to be patient and that our offers won't be much more than what we offered around draft day? I must have missed something though

[rondohondo]

I want butler here

[max215]

I'd be more interested in Okafor now that we have Alfred.

[Smartacus]

I'd be more interested in Okafor now that we have Alfred.

Definetly Horford's always said he's wanted to play with a true center and they don't get much bigger or more skilled than Jah.

[Cman]

Why bother trading for anyone?
Play the season and go after someone like Westbrook or Griffin next offseason

[Quetzalcoatl]

I mean, what are we really giving up for them?  I feel like Danny will only lowball them. He seems to really like Brown a lot and most of our starters are key to keeping our team competitive enough to warrant trading for them

[kozlodoev]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYpd-2buQc0

[Bobshot]

I'd be more interested in Okafor now that we have Alfred.

Right now, I'd take Okafor in a minute. They are going to get killed against teams bigger up front.

Both Jackson and Rozier have looked very good so far in the summer League. Better than anything the Sixers have. I wonder if one could be a centerpiece in a trade for Okafor?

As for Butler, I much prefer a big man up front rather than Butler, who will compete for touches with IT much like he did with Rose, and who will cost much more.

The Celtics have excess guards, and at least one is expendable for a legitimate big.

[__ramonezy__]

If this is the case then I'm deeply troubled by the direction we took in the draft. Why draft Jaylen Brown and then use assets to trade for Butler, which is essentially Brown in 3-5 years time. We could have went Hield or Dunn or Bender.

I hope this is all false. I'm definitely not a Butler fan, I think his offensive game is overrated and he would be replacing AB who is already an ALL-NBA Defensive team member... so to most teams he's a great upgrade but to us it's marginal if any at all because he can't shoot!!!

[Dino Pitino]

Okafor accomplishes nothing. If we give up any of Smart or Brown or either Brooklyn pick for him, I will be puke and start getting into soccer or some ****.

[max215]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYpd-2buQc0

[jambr380]

I mean, what are we really giving up for them?  I feel like Danny will only lowball them. He seems to really like Brown a lot and most of our starters are key to keeping our team competitive enough to warrant trading for them

Thinking Smart for Okafor

AB, KO, 2018 BKN for Butler...yes, I know this depletes our shooting, but AB would be reunited with Rondo and KO is a FA next year and will need to be paid. Also, the pick isn't worth quite as much as this year's so we need to include a real asset (I do think KO is a real asset).