The Chicago Bulls had shown a prior interest in the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft, calling the Philadelphia 76ers and reportedly willing to part ways with All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler, according to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.
The Sixers then traded for the No. 1 overall pick in efforts to continue their youth movement and slowly Trust the Process with the integration of projected top-prospect Markelle Fultz this year.
The Boston Celtics, who made the trade with the Sixers official today, are hoping to use the third overall pick they received in exchange and flip it to the Bulls as part of a package for Butler.
Smith explained that president Danny Ainge is hoping that if they can acquire Butler from the Bulls, they can make a run at Utah Jazz soon-to-be free agent forward Gordon Hayward and pair the two with point guard Isaiah Thomas, while keeping the team's core intact.
While Smith mentions that the likes of Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart would stay, it seems unlikely that could happen while slotting a 1-2-3 punch starring Thomas, Butler, and Hayward, as their minutes would be reduced to the low 20s.
If Ainge indeed pulls off this ambitious venture, he'll likely have to empty his pockets and be willing to shell out a handful of the picks, which he's accumulated through the years.
The move would certainly give the Celtics a star-studded team that can compete with the likes of the Eastern Conference powerhouse Cleveland Cavaliers, who defeated them 4-1 this postseason.
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