NBA Rumors: Celtics Tried To Trade For Bulls’ Jimmy Butler

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics are a team on the rise in the NBA. The once-dominant franchise has had a few down years after parting ways with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, and Ray Allen.

Despite a few years of being a bottom feeder in the Eastern Conference once again, Boston has bounced back with a vengeance and arguably one of the most promising young rosters in the league. Head coach Brad Stevens and general manager Danny Ainge have made all the right moves resulting in the team becoming one of the best teams in the conference.

Apparently, the Celtics were swinging for the fences heading toward the NBA trade deadline last month. Boston is armed with multiple drafts picks and desperately wants to add a proven star to the roster. Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls may have been the star the team was targeting, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald:

One of those stars whose profile intrigued the Celtics didn’t get to play in that game because of a strained knee. It’s been said that Chicago’s Jimmy Butler would be a good fit here, but multiple sources are telling the Herald that the Celts did, in fact, make a strong move for the 6-foot-7 wing.

Although the Celtics were unable to land Butler in a trade before the NBA’s deadline in February, Boston will likely be pulling out all the stops to bolster their roster this summer. The Celtics have the draft picks and the salary cap to make some bold moves during the NBA offseason.

Boston could easily come out as the biggest winners in the offseason and as result might be a legitimate threat to the Cleveland Cavaliers next season.