Jimmy Butler to Celtics a strong possibility as Bulls re-open talks ahead of NBA trade deadline

The potential Jimmy Butler to Boston Celtics trade chatter, that has been doing the rounds for the past few years, has once again picked up steam ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline, per fresh reports. The seventh-seeded Bulls could still qualify for the postseason but is looking to retool its roster ahead of next season.

The Celtics, on the other hand, is on the brink of dethroning the Cavaliers as the No. 1 seed in the East. As currently constructed, the Celtics isn't expected to challenge the reigning champions during the postseason. However, the potential addition of a two-way star such as Butler could make them a legitimate threat to Cleveland, in the opinion of several analysts.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical, the Celtics and Bulls have re-opened Jimmy Butler trade talks for the first time since last year's NBA Draft night. "These teams have engaged on the potential of this trade. They have not gotten far down the road on it. There still needs to be some alignment within the Bulls' organisation, from ownership to management that they want to make the decision to enter a full rebuild.

Jimmy Butler trade to Celtics: Bulls open to dialogue

"These are two teams that have exactly what the other wants. Boston has been hoarding assets for years, for a couple of seasons, trying to get in a position to get a star player. The fact that the Celtics have a swap with Brooklyn this year that could potentially be a top-3 pick and they have Brooklyn's pick outright next year. Either of those picks, I don't think Chicago can get both of them, but that is the beginning point of a deal for the Bulls for Jimmy Butler," Wojnarowski revealed during his NBA trade deadline preview on Sunday.

Entering next season, the Chicago Bulls could potentially lose the veteran trio of Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and Taj Gibson in free agency, besides pulling the trigger on a Jimmy Butler trade. This would allow them to build the team around their young core of Denzel Valentine, Bobby Portis, Michael Carter-Williams and Nikola Mirotic, besides the chest of draft picks and assets they could secure by pulling off a Jimmy Butler trade. Since the Bulls is nowhere close to competing with the East's elite, the decision to hit the reset button could prove to be its best option.

Prior to last year's NBA Draft, the Celtics nearly acquired Jimmy Butler until the Bulls reportedly upped its asking price for the All-Star wing. The Bulls were reportedly demanding a package of the No. 3 draft pick (with which Boston selected Jaylen Brown), Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder and Brooklyn's 2017 first-round pick owned by Boston. This time around, too, the Bulls isn't expected to lower its price, seeing as Butler is averaging a career-high tally of 24.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Would the hypothetical scenario of Jimmy Butler to Boston Celtics finally happen in 2017? Stay tuned for the latest news and updates surrounding the NBA trade deadline.

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