CHI writer: C's won't deal pick now; Insisted on protection during Butler talks

[obnoxiousmime]

https://twitter.com/KCJHoop

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-bulls-nba-draft-lottery-spt-0517-20170516-story.html

I don't know if anybody posted this at the time, but apparently the Celtics insisted on protection for the BKN pick during their semi-serious trade talks with Chicago about Butler. The writer KC Johnson then makes the conclusion that since they now have the #1 pick, it is unlikely they would be willing to deal it for Butler now.

I guess this means that they felt very strongly earlier this year that Butler (and perhaps George) were not worth dealing a top 3 (or top 2 or 1) pick for. It stands to reason that with another season passed the price of Butler and George have only lessened and the Celtics wouldn't make the deal now either.

The only way I can see them changing their minds is if the recent performance of the team makes them believe they're a lot closer than they thought back in February/March. That seems unlikely though.

[The One]

Great point!

They shouldn't trade this pick (or the #18 either)!

[CF0022]

I agree.  Draft Fultz.  Go after Ayton. That is best case scenario.  Why do anything else?  Do not make trades.  Do not pass go.

Having the #1 pick is the best situation we can be in.  Period.

I would not trade it for Porzingis and there isn't anything better out there. I don't want lebron or curry either.

I do this a lot though. No more reason for discussion.  Have a nice day.  Might as well shut this site down now lol.  j/k but yeah.

[LilRip]

I hope the trade gets revisited though, but in some other form. Maybe not the #1 overall but maybe 2 future firsts instead? Along with some combination of players not named IT/Horford/Brown?

[apc]

There is also a quote from Wic saying it is more likely we keep the pick .

[PhoSita]

Honestly to deal a number one pick I'd need to get back a player like Jokic, Giannis, Davis, etc.

A no doubt top ten to fifteen player for a long time.

If we draft and keep Fultz, that's an elite ballhandler and scorer (ie the most important type of player in today's league) under control for up to nine years.

[PhoSita]

I think the goal now has to be draft Fultz and then trade the 2018 pick and lesser pieces for an upgrade at SF or PF.

I'd offer Bradley, 2018 Nets, Rozier, and one or two other picks for Jimmy Butler.

I'd offer a bit less for George.

[Quetzalcoatl]

I think the goal now has to be draft Fultz and then trade the 2018 pick and lesser pieces for an upgrade at SF or PF.

I'd offer Bradley, 2018 Nets, Rozier, and one or two other picks for Jimmy Butler.

I'd offer a bit less for George.

I don't get why some people think Butler > George.  George is younger, better on D, bigger, better 3 point shooter, better LeBron defender, and can play PF which is our weakest position.  The playoffs basically bore this out, too.  George looked better against better competition (the Cavs) than Butler looked against us.  There isn't really anything that George doesn't beat Butler on.

[footey]

Honestly to deal a number one pick I'd need to get back a player like Jokic, Giannis, Davis, etc.

A no doubt top ten to fifteen player for a long time.

If we draft and keep Fultz, that's an elite ballhandler and scorer (ie the most important type of player in today's league) under control for up to nine years.

Ainge would not trade 1 pick for Jokic. Not sure Giannis either. Davis, sure.

[max215]

Honestly to deal a number one pick I'd need to get back a player like Jokic, Giannis, Davis, etc.

A no doubt top ten to fifteen player for a long time.

If we draft and keep Fultz, that's an elite ballhandler and scorer (ie the most important type of player in today's league) under control for up to nine years.

I'd only trade Markelle for guys who certainly aren't available: MVP candidates (Leonard, LeBron, Curry, Durant) or future MVP candidates (Towns, Davis, Giannis). In total, there are maybe 7-8 guys I'd trade him for.

[CF0022]

I wouldn't even do that.  reason being Fultz is younger.  Talent is relative and Fultz has it in spades.  He also fits what we are trying to do. Those other guys are on losing teams for a reason. Even if you packed 5 of those stars together the system is important.  We are going to be beating better teams because of how our players compliment each other.  Talent level is important but its as a whole vs just putting an allstar team together.  DA knows this.  Both he and DJ had to sacrifice parts of their game ebcause of the big 3 but he was primarily a complimentary piece. A star player for sure. But so is Fultz. The difference is Fultz is a player for now and a player you can build around later. That is exactly what I want.

Guys like Porzingis, Giannis in particular are interesting for sure but I don't think I'd do it.

Giannis would be the guy who would push that envelope even further. That's a tough one.

[Jvalin]

Are teams allowed to put protections on swaps? I mean, we don't own their pick, we just have the right to swap picks with them.

[RJ87]

I think the goal now has to be draft Fultz and then trade the 2018 pick and lesser pieces for an upgrade at SF or PF.

I'd offer Bradley, 2018 Nets, Rozier, and one or two other picks for Jimmy Butler.

I'd offer a bit less for George.

I don't get why some people think Butler > George.  George is younger, better on D, bigger, better 3 point shooter, better LeBron defender, and can play PF which is our weakest position.  The playoffs basically bore this out, too.  George looked better against better competition (the Cavs) than Butler looked against us.  There isn't really anything that George doesn't beat Butler on.

For one, there's the contract. Butler's deal has an extra guaranteed year. And i just think he'd be easier to resign.

[CF0022]

Giannis as a player is basically the best player on hs team but was a later pick.  He might not be as good as Fultz on a better team.  He's basically putting up numbers right now like Kevin Love did in minnesota. I think Giannis is better in ways and a hot ticket because he is so versatile. He can also handle the ball and attacks the rim.   But Fultz man.  More versatile scorer which is what we want. IT is 28 years old and probably has several years left.  I don't know that's tough.  Giannis is very good and would compliment IT in other ways as a point forward who attacks the rim.

Jimmy butler is the same thing.  More a pure scorer though ala paul pierce.  We have Jaylen brown developing. He'll never handle the ball like those guys but has a chance to be a kawii leonard type.

Fultz to me does it all from an offensive perspective and is going to be a good defensive player too with time.  He has the mindset in him I think.

Jaylen fits well with that.  So does Smart as they continue to develop their games. 

[BitterJim]

I think the goal now has to be draft Fultz and then trade the 2018 pick and lesser pieces for an upgrade at SF or PF.

I'd offer Bradley, 2018 Nets, Rozier, and one or two other picks for Jimmy Butler.

I'd offer a bit less for George.

I don't get why some people think Butler > George.  George is younger, better on D, bigger, better 3 point shooter, better LeBron defender, and can play PF which is our weakest position.  The playoffs basically bore this out, too.  George looked better against better competition (the Cavs) than Butler looked against us.  There isn't really anything that George doesn't beat Butler on.

He didn't say that Butler was better than George, he said that he would give up less for George than he would for Butler.  That's a completely different stance, and (most likely) takes the contract situations into consideration.  Trading for George would be a one year rental; trading for Butler wouldn't.