Chicago Bulls may unload Jimmy Butler on Celtics for No. 3 pick

Chicago Bulls All-Star guard Jimmy Butler could be available in trade, and the Celtics reportedly are interested in dealing the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 draft to bring him to Boston.

Providence point guard Kris Dunn, Oklahoma shooting guard Buddy Hield and Kentucky shooting guard Jamal Murray would be the top-rated prospects available to the Bulls, who have reportedly considered trading point guard Derrick Rose this offseason.

The Bulls could also have interest in Celtics guards Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas, who emerged as Boston's go-to scorer last season.

General manager Danny Ainge is driven to land a marquee free agent and reportedly is focused on Hawks All-Star forward Al Horford, and Boston is considered a long-shot option for Kevin Durant when free agency begins July 1.

Trading other assets will open the Celtics' coffers for such a move.

The Bulls are in rebuilding mode after missing the playoffs and expect to lose forward Pau Gasol in the roster remake under second-year coach Fred Hoiberg. Trading star players has not been a strategy employed by John Paxson as president and right-hand man Gar Forman.

Given opportunities to trade starters such as Luol Deng and Joakim Noah in the past, Paxson typically resisted before unloading Deng later in his contract.