The Boston Celtics had a chance to draft Jimmy Butler in the 2011 NBA Draft, as did a bevy of teams for that matter.

However, Butler wound up falling to the Chicago Bulls, who selected the Marquette product with the 30th overall pick. Fast forward to today and Butler is now one of the best players in the NBA and a star for the Miami Heat. It's a great story since Butler was homeless at one point growing up.

Celtics assistant general manager Mike Zarren recently joined The Athletic’s “NBA Show” podcast and he talked about his regret of not drafting Butler.

Via A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston:

Article Continues Below
More Boston Celtics News
image thumbnail
Clippers trade proposal lands Jrue Holiday from CelticsJedd Pagaduan ·
Cavaliers' guard Darius Garland with Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle - NBA trade rumors and scenarios
Timberwolves’ Darius Garland trade headlines 4 intriguing scenarios before NBA DraftBrett Siegel ·
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) defends Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the second quarter at Paycom Center.
Colin Cowherd shades Jayson Tatum with ‘alpha’ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takeMalik Brown ·
Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
ESPN analyst floats Celtics as Giannis Antetokounmpo landing spotZachary Draves ·
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) controls the ball while LA Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) defends during the second half at TD Garden.
NBA rumors: Clippers eyeing Jrue Holiday trade after past loss to CelticsDaniel Donabedian ·
Kristaps Porzingis photoshopped in Magic jersey. Include his jersey number.
Magic offseason trade proposal for Kristaps Porzingis as Celtics get finances in checkBailey Bassett ·

“The one that we talk about the most internally is Jimmy Butler and JaJuan Johnson,” Zarren said.

“Every team has tons of these stories. We had it narrowed down to those two guys and picked the wrong one. We should have picked Jimmy and we didn’t.”

The Celtics took MarShon Brooks with the 25th overall pick in the 2011 draft. He only played in 10 games with Boston and isn't in the NBA at the moment.

Butler, who has played for the Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and now Heat, is a five-time All-Star and one of the top two-way players in the game. He holds career averages of 17.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

The Celtics are doing fine without Butler, as they are in the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals against Jimmy's Heat. However, it's fair to wonder how elite Boston would be had they taken Jimmy Buckets in 2011.