First let's begin with Jimmy Butler. If the rumors are to be believed then Butler is on the block and the Celtics are the most likely to acquire him. I have the Celtics sending Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart, Amir Johnson and their 2017 1st Round Pick for Butler. Remember the Celtics have the rights to swap with Brooklyn and Brooklyn has the highest chance to win the lottery currently. Now the Bulls may need more in return so the Celtics could always send a pair of 2nd Round Picks or one of their stash players. Bringing in Butler would elevate the Celtics to the second best team in the East, moving them past the Raptors. Moving Smart and Crowder would free up playing time for Terry Rozier and Gerald Green as well. When Rozier plays more than 20 minutes he's averaging over 8 points and 4 rebounds. As for Green, since his been getting more playing time he's been averaging around 10 points in only about 12 minutes. Give them both 20 plus minutes off the bench and they'll be a great backcourt second unit.
The other trade is for Paul Millsap. Now I'm going to be honest but I'm wary of pairing Millsap and Horford together again. I really like Horford playing Power Forward and the pairs rebounding was a problem against the Cavs in Eastern Conference finals. With Butler and Bradley averaging career highs in rebounding I believe they can make up for the pair. Anyways, acquiring Millsap won't cost nearly as much as Butler. Sending Jaylen Brown, Jonas Jerebko and the Nets 2018 pick should be enough. I think the Celtics should throw in Demetrius Jackson in order to also acquire Thabo Sefolosha. With Brown going to the Hawks, the Celtics will need a backup Small Forward. Sefolosha's defense and rebounding will play great with the Celtics style. As for Millsap, I believe he is the second best defensive Power Forward in the game only behind Draymond Green. The difference is he is a better offensive player. With Bradley, Butler and Horford the Celtics have four of the best two-way players starting for them.
The Celtics should look like this after the trades.
Starters
- Isaiah Thomas
- Avery Bradley
- Jimmy Butler
- Paul Millsap
- Al Horford
Reserves
- Terry Rozier
- Gerald Green
- Thabo Sefolosha
- Jordan Mickey
- Kelly Olynyk
Bench
- Tyler Zeller
- James Young
- Abdel Nader
With Isaiah Thomas becoming, in my opinion one of the top 5 players this season leading the offense, this Celtics team would soar past the Cavs and become the best team in the East and maybe the NBA.
