Jimmy Butler trade to Celtics: Bulls insist on Jae Crowder, Boston won't include forward in package

The Boston Celtics (37-20) are not willing to include forward Jae Crowder in the package to pull off the potential Jimmy Butler trade, according to fresh reports. The Chicago Bulls (28-29), however, are adamant that Crowder be included as part of the deal that would send Butler to Boston ahead of Thursday's NBA Trade Deadline.

According to NBA insider David Aldridge, the Celtics and Bulls have been going back-and-forth on a potential Jimmy Butler trade but are unable to come to terms on a mutually satisfactory deal. "I think the Jimmy Butler stuff is real. They (Boston) have been trying to get Jimmy Butler. He (GM Danny Ainge) doesn't want to give up Jae Crowder. That's the main sticking point there and he doesn't want to give up Jae Crowder in a deal and that's the guy the Bulls are insisting on right now in any package for Butler," Aldridge told radio host Brian Robb of The Celtics Hub.

It's no secret that the Celtics are in possession of a chest of draft picks and young assets, putting them in a favourable position to trade for All-Star talent as compared to rival suitors. Besides Brooklyn Nets' next two first-round picks, Boston owns the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies' 2019 first-round picks, not to mention a host of other second-round picks from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jimmy Butler trade to Celtics: Bulls could rebuild via the draft

With Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and Taj Gibson expected to walk in free agency, the Bulls could potential hit the reset button by pulling the trigger on a Jimmy Butler trade. And there's no better way to begin a rebuild than to collect a host of draft picks. "The picks will work themselves out. Boston has about 600 first round picks in the next five years, so they'll make it work.

"That part I'm not worried about. I think it really comes down to Crowder. In terms of real tangible players, I think Danny would like to go into the playoffs with (Marcus) Smart, (Avery) Bradley, (Jae) Crowder defensively along with (Jimmy) Butler, (Al) Horford and (Isiah) Thomas offensively. I think he feels like that's the only way they'll be able to complete with a team like Cleveland (Cavaliers)," Aldridge continued.

Prior to the 2016 NBA Draft, the Celtics and Bulls nearly came to terms on a Jimmy Butler trade until the latter upped its asking price during the final stages of negotiation. According to earlier reports, the Bulls demanded a package of Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart, the No. 3 overall pick (with which Boston drafted Jaylen Brown) and the 2017 first-round pick (owned by Brooklyn Nets). Clearly, Danny Ainge wasn't ready to bite. But with Celtics just three games behind the Cavs, could he succumb to Chicago's demands?

"Chicago, I think rightly, is saying, 'If you want our best player, we're not going to just do it for picks. We're not going to take guys you aren't going to keep on your roster. We want a guy that is going to be able to grow with us, along with one of those high picks.' They want a top half of the lottery type pick for Jimmy Butler, along with a starting established player under contract. I understand that from Chicago's point of view."

The NBA Trade Deadline is on Thursday. Jimmy Butler is among the all-stars reportedly on the trading block, besides the likes of Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons) and Paul George (Indiana Pacers). Would the Celtics finally pull off the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade? Would the potential move help Boston compete with Cleveland for the Eastern Conference title?