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Celtics trade rumors continue to heat up

The Bulls’ Jimmy Butler lines up a jumper for the East squad during first-half action in the NBA All-Star Game. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS — It will be an interesting week for the Celtics as the Thursday trade deadline approaches. Boston will be mentioned in many potential deals because of its assets.

While the Jimmy Butler-to-Boston talk continues to simmer, one star who was known to be on the trading block was taken off the table late Sunday night when the Sacramento Kings agreed to ship All-Star DeMarcus Cousins to the Pelicans following the NBA All-Star Game.

The Kings reportedly will receive Tyreke Evans, 2016 first-round draft pick Buddy Hield, Langston Galloway, and first- and second-round draft picks this summer in exchange for Cousins and Omri Casspi.

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According to some team executives, the Celtics don’t feel the necessity to make a move but would not mind adding a rim protector and rebounder to improve their interior defense.

Two names mentioned are from the Phoenix Suns, whose general manager is former Celtics assistant GM Ryan McDonough. The Suns are shopping rugged swingman P.J. Tucker and veteran center Tyson Chandler, both of whom would boost the Boston frontcourt.

Tucker, 31, is averaging 7 points and 6 rebounds for Phoenix and is considered an above-average defender and physical player as a small forward. Chandler, 34, has two years remaining on his contract at approximately $12 million per season but is averaging 8.4 points and 11.4 rebounds, two above his career rebounding average.

The question for the Celtics is whether to sacrifice their assets — the two picks owed to them from the Brooklyn Nets over the next two years — in a deal that may not catapult them over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics are in need of a defensive difference-maker to pair with Al Horford and also could use a knockdown shooter off the bench.

Boston has the expiring contracts of Amir Johnson ($12 million) and Jonas Jerebko ($5 million) to offer in deals as well as draft picks. Butler, who joined Isaiah Thomas in Sunday’s All-Star Game, would be a notable target if the Bulls choose to rebuild.

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Pairing Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo with Butler has failed miserably and Butler is the Bulls’ most attractive asset for a retool. But the Celtics have been cautious about possibly moving their prized draft picks.

Thomas, who scored 11 of the Eastern Conference’s first 60 points, is the cornerstone of the Celtics’ franchise but with the club 2½ games behind the banged-up Cavaliers in the East, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge may feel inclined to make a move to upgrade the roster. But it appears if the Celtics are going to add to the roster, it is likely to be for a role player. And as always, talks will intensify in the next few days.

Carmelo Anthony deal unlikely

Carmelo Anthony has been on the trade block for weeks now as the New York Knicks push to part ways with their leading scorer and most established player. However, Anthony has a no-trade clause that allows him to control his fate and it appears less likely that he will be moved by the Thursday deadline.

Anthony had a vacation planned during the All-Star break before he was an injury replacement for Kevin Love, so instead he’s here fielding questions about his future. Anthony has remained professional throughout this ordeal, which has included constant digs from team president Phil Jackson, who as the Globe reported last month, has instructed management to facilitate a deal with Anthony that he would accept.

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“Honestly, for me, it’s good to see the support from my peers despite everything I have been having to deal with,” Anthony said. “When you have your peers who understand it — they’re the ones who are actually going through similar situations and can relate to those types of situations because they’re in it. So to have my peers speak up and talk about that, it means a lot to me.”

The question is whether the Knicks’ actions during this Anthony ordeal — as well as the Charles Oakley incident with team owner James Dolan — will have a negative effect on their ability to attract free agents. Anthony Tolliver, the Sacramento Kings forward and a member of the NBA Players Association executive committee, said it will have an adverse impact.

“Me personally, playing for so many different teams, there’s a big difference between an organization that’s branded the right way and an organization that isn’t,” he said. “You notice it, not only as a person but on the court, off the court, everything. It affects everything. There’s discourse within an organization that can be something that deters someone going to that market.”

Bradley may be back Thursday

Avery Bradley could potentially return to action Thursday after missing 19 of the past 20 games with a strained Achilles’ tendon. Celtics coach Brad Stevens wouldn’t commit to a minutes limit when Bradley returns, but did say the team will be careful with his workload as he plays himself back into shape.

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“I think that will be a discussion between the trainers and us,” Stevens said. “I’m guessing it will be bringing him back at the right rate but every indication is that he’s good to go for practice as we finish break and hopefully we’ll see what that means in the first few games out of the break. I think his ability defensively has been pretty well-documented. His ability to guard the ball and also switch is huge.

“Our guys have stepped up. I think Jaylen Brown has gotten better defensively in the last two months. Maybe this is a silver lining for us that we’re building depth in that regard.”


Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GwashburnGlobe