Celtics Trade Deadline 2017: Needs, Wants, & Assets

With the NBA Trade Deadline less than three days away (Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. EST), the Celtics trade rumors are flying. The C’s are positioned, quite frankly, to do whatever they want. With the assets ‘Trader Danny’ Ainge has amassed over the years, the Celtics have the ultimate flexibility.

At 37-20 and 2nd in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics are be expected to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. Many fans & experts believe they are only a piece or two away from making a run at the NBA Finals this year. This trade deadline will be an interesting insight into Danny Ainge’s philosophy moving forward. While the team *could* absolutely make a deal this coming Thursday, they could just as well stand pat and continue an impressive rebuild if the right deal doesn’t present itself.

Let’s start with the team’s needs.

Celtics Need a Big Man & a Closer

First and foremost, a potential Celtics trade is likely to start with a Big Man. They team lost out on DeMarcus Cousins earlier today, when the Kings shipped the young star (along with Omri Casspi) to New Orleans for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and its 2017 first and second round picks. The Celtics are looking for a rim-protector, a true center, a real 5. Gaining a true “big man” would allow the Celtics to move Al Horford to Power Forward, a position for which he’s far better suited.

Secondly, other than Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics lack a true star scorer. The team has plenty of great players, even future stars, but doesn’t have that “closer” or someone who can create his own shot. For the past few years, fans have been clamoring at the chance to acquire Bulls’ SF Jimmy Butler. Such a player would command a hefty load of assets.

Though you can never have enough assets, Boston has enough to get a deal done.

Celtics Trade Assets

Let’s start with the draft picks. The Celtics trade that sent legends Paul Pierce & Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn (along with Jason Terry and D.J. White) is still paying off. In the deal, the Celtics acquired Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph, Keith Bogans and three first round draft picks (2014, 2016 and 2018), as well as the right to swap first round picks in 2017.

What seemed “too good to be true” to fans that were willing to take off their nostalgic glasses, in fact, has played out that way.

First Round Picks

• 2017 Nets*
• 2018 Nets
• 2018 Celtics
• 2019 Celtics
• 2019 Clippers**
• 2019 Grizzlies***
• 2020 Celtics

*right to swap, but duh, they’re swapping.
**if the Clippers’ 2017 pick is outside the lottery (will likely be), then they owe that pick to the Raptors. Thus, L.A. will owe the Celtics their 2019 pick (lottery protected).
***Memphis owes the Nuggets a first (top 5 protected). As long as they finish outside the top 5 (they will), they owe the Celtics their 2019 first (top 8 protected).

Second Round Picks

• 2017 Wolves 2nd
• 2017 Clippers 2nd
• 2017 Cavs 2nd
• 2019 Pistons 2nd
• 2020 Heat 2nd
• 2020 Celtics 2nd

My lord is right. The Celtics are stacked. Since an NBA roster (and a team’s number of D-League designations) are capped, they are unlikely to use all of these picks themselves. As we saw last year, the Celtics *used* picks on foreign draft picks, somewhat delaying the roster size conundrum.

Foreign Talent

Last year the Celtics selected 2 foreign-born players; Guerschon Yabusele ad Ante Zizic.

Guerschon Yabusele, taken 16th overall last season, is 6-foot-7, weighing in at 260lbs. The big man has averaged 21.53 points per game along with 9.50 rebounds in 30.4 minutes per game this season with the Shanghai Sharks. He has also shot well from the floor (54.2 percent) with a respectable Free Throw percentage (68.9 percent)

Ante Zizic, taken 23rd overall, is 6-foot-11. Playing for KK Cibona this season, he’s averaged 20 points per game, along with 9.23 rebounds per contest. The big man also averages 29.8 minutes a game. KK Cibona is a part of Liga ABA.

According to Austin Ainge, Boston’s Director of Player Personnel, the team expects that the two overseas stars will be in Boston next season. “That is everybody’s plan right now.” Ainge told CSNNE back in December. He went on to add “Things can change, but we are really excited about their development and their prospects for the future.” While, this is the plan, I don’t think it makes it unlikely that the Celtics trade either of the two.

Talent on Celtics Roster

Youth

The young stars on the Celtics have exceptional trade value. Marcus Smart (age 22) and Jaylen Brown (age 20) are key to the team’s future. It would be extremely tough to deal either of these up and coming stars. That said, the Celtics also have two attractive young assets in Terry Rozier (22), and James Young (21). While neither could be a centerpiece in a deal to acquire a star, both have displayed nice upside and are barely over the legal drinking age.

Veterans

It is also possible that the Celtics trade some of their attractive veterans. Avery Bradley is one of the NBA’s elite defensive players. Quite frankly, Bradley is probably the team’s best all around player. However, Bradley’s often injured and he’s likely to want a max-contract when his team-friendly deal expires after next season.

Jae Crowder has immensely increased his value ever since the Celtics acquired him in the deal that sent Rajon Rondo to Dallas. Jae has become a core part of the Celtics starting 5 and has improved his overall Field Goal Percentage each year in Boston. In ’16-’17, Crowder is shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from 3-Point Land.

Another solid trade piece is Kelly Olynyk. Although Olynyk has battled injuries each season, he’s been a more than serviceable bench player. Olynyk is averaging just under 10 points with around 5 rebounds in 21 minutes per game this season. Olynyk, at 25 years old, could fill a void for a team looking to rebuild, but not officially “tank” their season.

Expiring Contracts

Amir Johnson makes $12M this season, but is an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) next season. As is Jonas Jerebko, who makes $5M. These two suit the needs of a team looking for salary cap flexibility, or who may have their eye on someone in next year’s Free Agency pool.

Conclusion

So now what? Should the Celtics trade for a star? Should the Celtics trade for a rim-protector? Should the Celtics not trade? Any way you slice it, Boston has a ton of flexibility. Whether a team is looking for picks, youth, veterans, or expiring contracts, Boston is in a position to make something happen. I do believe Danny Ainge will make a splash this year, but if there’s one thing that’s certain, “Band-Aid” or “rent-a-player” deals will NOT HAPPEN.

If you’re a Celtics fan, you should be happy with the team’s positioning moving forward, regardless of what transpires on February 23rd. 2017.

Here’s a look at 9 potential Celtics trade scenarios before the deadline.