(Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
Even though they had moved on from some of their veterans and best players, the Boston Celtics didn’t need a lot of time before getting back to playoff contention.
A lot of that had to do with Danny Ainge’s ability to make deals, not to mention the fact that they struck gold when they drafted Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Notably, the Celtics may have never been in that position, as Ainge was actually close to trading the picks they used to get them.
In the latest edition of the “Knuckleheads” podcast, Ainge shed light on how he almost traded the picks to the Chicago Bulls to get Jimmy Butler.
“Some of the best trades I ever made were the ones I wasn’t able to make.”
Danny Ainge reveals plans of bringing Jimmy Butler to Boston to @QRich and @21Blackking.
Y’all don’t want to miss this one. #Knuckleheads. Tap in TOMORROW. pic.twitter.com/CZMqhDZPvC
— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) August 14, 2023
Ainge claimed that sometimes the best deals are the ones you don’t make, stating that he backed up from the trade because of how much the Bulls asked for him.
Ainge also admitted that he was always a big fan of Butler’s game and could’ve targeted him in the NBA Draft as well, but that’s just the way things go in this league sometimes.
Brown and Tatum went on to become one of the best duos in the league and the undisputed heart and soul of the organization.
Butler made a name for himself around the league and is now the leader of the Miami Heat.
As for the Bulls, they definitely failed to make the most of the assets they got, and it’ll be a while before they’re ready to sit at the same table as the rest of the contenders.
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