It seems that one of the more popular hypothetical trade ideas for the Boston Celtics could have come to fruition, but the Celtics would ultimately decide to go in another direction at the NBA’s 2024 trade deadline instead. According to new reporting from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Chicago Bulls veteran big man Andre Drummond “also drew trade interest” from Boston before the Celtics “went in other directions.:

That direction would of course be their decision to trade for Memphis Grizzlies big man Xavier Tillman, Sr., who Boston picked up for the contract of forward Lamar Stevens and a pair of second round picks.

According to Scotto, the Bulls were looking for a trio of second round picks to seal the deal for the UConn alum, which likely sunk the move for the Celtics with the Tillman deal on the table.

To be fair, Drummond is the better player, but one can also make the case that he duplicates a skill set Boston already has on their roster in Neemias Queta with Queta having upside for growth.

As does Tillman, whose comparative youth at age 25 and expiring contract with Bird rights make the former Grizzlies big man a solid option for building out the team’s options in future, cap-crunched seasons.

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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire