Is Jimmy Butler still an attractive option for the Celtics in the offseason?
The Boston Celtics are in a heated, yet confusing series with the Chicago Bulls. Both teams have dropped each of their home games, Rajon Rondo played like his old self and got injured, and Marcus Smart’s toughness was questioned. Weird
The one thing Celtics fans knew that they were getting was an in depth look at potential offseason target Jimmy Butler. Butler has been involved in trade rumors with the Celtics for the past two years, so getting to know him in a playoff series would be a useful time for Boston.
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Butler had a career year this season, posting highs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. He would be the final piece of the championship puzzle for the Celtics as the superstar they have been longing for. After seeing him up close and personal, should the Celtics still want Butler?
The Bulls star is a great two way player, averaging 20 points for the third consecutive season, and having three NBA All-Defensive selections in his career. However, paying attention to Butler’s play in this series brings concern to whether the Celtics should give up some of their best assets for him.
While Butler can be considered a good scorer when you look at the numbers, he isn’t as good as you’d think when watching him play. He isn’t highly skilled on the offensive end. Butler usually just bullies his way inside and either gets fouled or scores with brute strength. He was fourth in free throw attempts per game, so he certainly gets the whistles consistently.
Butler relies a little to heavily on free throws. The top five in free throw attempts per game includes James Harden, Russell Westbrook, DeMarcus Cousins, and DeMar DeRozan. All of those players average at least 27 points per game, which is much higher than Butler’s 23.
He’s an improved perimeter shooter, and defenses have to respect his ability to knock down threes and mid range jumpers. However, Butler is more of a slasher. He mostly pulls up in the mid range, and rises up for three when the defense sags off.
In the Celtics offensive scheme, I don’t think Butler would be the best fit. Isaiah Thomas is the better slasher, and making him more of a perimeter threat wouldn’t maximize his offensive potential. On the flip side, making Butler play more on the perimeter wouldn’t be the best either.
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Butler is a fine player that would certainly improve the Celtics’ chances at winning the eastern conference. I just don’t think that the fit is right, or that Butler is the true superstar that Boston is looking for. They’d be better off taking a player like Markelle Fultz, who has a higher upside and better fit in the system.