2017: Would you trade the #1 pick for Jimmy Butler ?

[Boris Badenov]

This franchise has had multiple opportunities for franchise players via the draft and whiffed in 1997 (though Billups developed into a great player for other teams), 2007 (though we made the best of it), 2014 (though Smart looks like a quality role player) and 2016 (though Jaylen may still develop into something special).   We're due to actually land a special player.   Considering it would likely take more than just that pick to land Premium Brand Ricky Davis, I'm definitely in the "no" camp.   Keep the pick and let's hope for the best.

You realize you just made a convincing case for trading the pick and then decided you prefer the opposite, right?

[Quetzalcoatl]

I know it probably wouldn't happen, but a trade with Bradley + Amir + whatever pick(s) for a really good big man would have to also accompany a move like this.  Bradley and Amir make just over $20,000,000 combined, so they perfectly match Blake Griffin, Marc Gasol, Hassan Whiteside, Brook Lopez (ugh) or you could do just Bradley and a pick for Vucevic or something.  But you'd want to move Bradley while he's averaging a ton of points and is about to be due for a contract.  If we want a super team, we don't want to be paying Avery $20 million in a couple years.   Crowder is just too cheap and he and Butler were teammates anyways.

So yes I would be okay for it IF it were part of a larger plan like Ray Allen was.  As a stand alone move, no.

[Phantom255x]

Is there a way to trade for Butler using the Nets pick AND sign a big like Noel or Ibaka?

Or would that limit our cap space this summer to sign anyone?

I mean, trading for Butler + signing Ibaka/Noel/Millsap would be very nice.

[Phantom255x]

I know it probably wouldn't happen, but a trade with Bradley + Amir + whatever pick(s) for a really good big man would have to also accompany a move like this.  Bradley and Amir make just over $20,000,000 combined, so they perfectly match Blake Griffin, Marc Gasol, Hassan Whiteside, Brook Lopez (ugh) or you could do just Bradley and a pick for Vucevic or something.  But you'd want to move Bradley while he's averaging a ton of points and is about to be due for a contract.  If we want a super team, we don't want to be paying Avery $20 million in a couple years.   Crowder is just too cheap and he and Butler were teammates anyways.

So yes I would be okay for it IF it were part of a larger plan like Ray Allen was.  As a stand alone move, no.

TP. Agree, this is my logic as well (the bolded part of your statement).

[LilRip]

I'm down to trade it. Picks are sexy but unless someone can convince me there's a Karl Anthony Towns in this draft class, I'd trade it. Jimmy Buckets helps us now and honestly, were in a win now mode.

[LarBrd33]

This franchise has had multiple opportunities for franchise players via the draft and whiffed in 1997 (though Billups developed into a great player for other teams), 2007 (though we made the best of it), 2014 (though Smart looks like a quality role player) and 2016 (though Jaylen may still develop into something special).   We're due to actually land a special player.   Considering it would likely take more than just that pick to land Premium Brand Ricky Davis, I'm definitely in the "no" camp.   Keep the pick and let's hope for the best.

You realize you just made a convincing case for trading the pick and then decided you prefer the opposite, right?

I don't see Butler as a franchise player.   Obviously the Bulls don't either.  I'd rather keep the pick and try to land a franchise player than buying high and overpaying for an overrated guy who isn't going to move the needle enough.

[LarBrd33]

This franchise has had multiple opportunities for franchise players via the draft and whiffed in 1997 (though Billups developed into a great player for other teams), 2007 (though we made the best of it), 2014 (though Smart looks like a quality role player) and 2016 (though Jaylen may still develop into something special).   We're due to actually land a special player.   Considering it would likely take more than just that pick to land Premium Brand Ricky Davis, I'm definitely in the "no" camp.   Keep the pick and let's hope for the best.

Wow, how many "thoughs" can one have in one sentence? Though you make a good point about Billups developing into a great player, your other statements are way off. Should top 5 picks guarentee franchise players? I don't think so. Otherwise we'd have about 50-75 franchise players in the NBA.

How can Danny get criticized for wiffing on Jeff Green when he traded him for Ray Allen?

How do you know that Marcus will be just a role player?

How is Jaylen Brown a wiff? You called last years draft very weak.

Most interestingly, how is Jimmy Butler a premium Ricky Davis?

Though I disagreed with most of what you wrote, I do think that the Celtics are due to pick a special player.

Look I agree on every point except the last one. Larbrd has provided evidence in the past that Butler is special version of Ricky Davis. Now Brown doesnt look like a whiff, and the allen trade was awesome, but unless smart takes huge leaps, he probably is a whiff in general bball terms. Sure he is like a great tony allen, but he is still very tony allen with the 6th pick.

Do you Lar, do you.

I'm just saying if the goal is to get a player you can build a franchise around, so far in four cracks at landing one in the draft (1997 with Duncan available, 2007 with Durant available, 2014 with Embiid available and 2016 with Ben Simmons available), we're 0 for 4.   We made the best of our bad luck, but you can consider them whiffs.  We're due.  Hopefully this is our year.  Supposedly according to draftniks there's multiple potential stars in this draft.  I'd rather try to land one via the draft than trade that pick + additional assets for a guy one team apparently already has deemed unworthy of building a franchise around.

[Celtics4ever]

overpaying for an overrated guy

25 PPG is nice.

http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6430/jimmy-butler

I doubt we can get that franchise player so we have to win.   KG, PP, and RA, were not the top NBA players in 08.   Kobe and Lebron probably were.   So Ainge may go with a trio of very good players and hope it works again.   I worry if he could play next to IT.  But if Ainge stated he was interested, then I bet he is looking elsewhere because he rarely shows his hand.

[blink]

I don't think it is an easy choice to be honest.  After a lot of thought (2 min) I would say no.  Just don't think Butler is a franchise player.  If all we give up is just the pick we are going to have a logjam at the 3 with everyone knowing we need to move Jae or Jaylen.

[LarBrd33]

This franchise has had multiple opportunities for franchise players via the draft and whiffed in 1997 (though Billups developed into a great player for other teams), 2007 (though we made the best of it), 2014 (though Smart looks like a quality role player) and 2016 (though Jaylen may still develop into something special).   We're due to actually land a special player.   Considering it would likely take more than just that pick to land Premium Brand Ricky Davis, I'm definitely in the "no" camp.   Keep the pick and let's hope for the best.

I see you have chosen to go down with the ship on the whole "premium brand ricky davis" thing.

What's a step above "premium brand"?  I previously called him the Kraft Mac and Cheese to Ricky Davis's generic Kroger brand. 



Based on his recent 52 point outburst, perhaps I should modify that to say he's Kraft Mac and Cheese served in a limited edition ivory bottle made out of narwhal tusks that comes packaged in a fur tote made from the pelts of exceptionally rare pygmy three-toed sloths. 

So in other words, way too expensive to bother with.  Let's keep the pick.

[clevelandceltic]

overpaying for an overrated guy

25 PPG is nice.

http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6430/jimmy-butler

I doubt we can get that franchise player so we have to win.   KG, PP, and RA, were not the top NBA players in 08.   Kobe and Lebron probably were.   So Ainge may go with a trio of very good players and hope it works again.   I worry if he could play next to IT.  But if Ainge stated he was interested, then I bet he is looking elsewhere because he rarely shows his hand.

KG won defensive player of the year that year. He might not have been the top player but he was a top player.

[Ilikesports17]

This franchise has had multiple opportunities for franchise players via the draft and whiffed in 1997 (though Billups developed into a great player for other teams), 2007 (though we made the best of it), 2014 (though Smart looks like a quality role player) and 2016 (though Jaylen may still develop into something special).   We're due to actually land a special player.   Considering it would likely take more than just that pick to land Premium Brand Ricky Davis, I'm definitely in the "no" camp.   Keep the pick and let's hope for the best.

I see you have chosen to go down with the ship on the whole "premium brand ricky davis" thing.

What's a step above "premium brand"?  I previously called him the Kraft Mac and Cheese to Ricky Davis's generic Kroger brand. 



Based on his recent 52 point outburst, perhaps I should modify that to say he's Kraft Mac and Cheese served in a limited edition ivory bottle made out of narwhal tusks that comes packaged in a fur tote made from the pelts of exceptionally rare pygmy three-toed sloths. 

Thank you.

[Phantom255x]

I'm tempted to ask this as a FanPost on Blog A Bull. (#1 pick + more good enough for Butler?)

But I fear they are just going to bash me and say Butler is untouchable OR he's worth WAY more than just a "measly #1 pick". 

[KG Living Legend]

 You forgot an option in the poll. Helllll to the No.

[Quetzalcoatl]

I'm tempted to ask this as a FanPost on Blog A Bull. (#1 pick + more good enough for Butler?)

But I fear they are just going to bash me and say Butler is untouchable OR he's worth WAY more than just a "measly #1 pick". 

Ha the bloggers all hate us because Celtics fans spam trade ideas for him all over the place while also saying he's only a little better than Jae and Bradley.  Hopefully the front office has more sense.  You can post it to troll them I guess, but the discourse isn't going to be very great.