In a previous post we looked at the Celtics trade assets, along with their needs & wants. Now, let’s get to the fun part. Who should the Celtics target come Thursday, February 23rd, 2017 at 3:00pm ET? Below are 9 potential Celtics trades that could go down to the wire.
Let’s start with the obvious, first.
Celtics Trade for Jimmy Butler
Since early last year, fans of the Boston Celtics have been clamoring for the team to acquire the Chicago Bulls’ Small Forward. Arguably (or not arguably) a top 10 player in the league, Jimmy Butler would instantly become “THE GUY” on the Celtics team. Paired with Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford, the trio would create an immediate scoring threat that many teams would drool over. Adding Butler falls into the “IF YOU CAN DO IT, YOU DO IT” category for likely every team. That said, let’s take a look at what it might cost.
The Bulls desperately need a Point Guard. Luckily, the Celtics have been blessed with the trade that keeps on giving. Boston has Brooklyn’s likely #1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. This year, the top of the draft features two elite PG’s in Lonzo Ball (UCLA) and Markelle Fultz (Washington). A trade involving Butler will most certainly start with that pick.
The Bulls would be in “full rebuild” mode if they let Butler go, so look for them to want some young talent, too. Boston would likely have to give up Marcus Smart or Avery Bradley, and Terry Rozier, as well as future first round picks. Last year, rumors swirled that the talks between Chicago and Boston stalled when Danny Ainge refused to include Jae Crowder in a deal. Does that change this year? Probably.
Possible Trade:
BOS Receives: Jimmy Butler
CHI Receives: 2017 BKN 1st Round Pick, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, 2019 Celtics First Round Pick, Rights to Guershon Yabusele.
VERDICT: This is a legitimate possibility.
Celtics Trade for Andre Drummond
Possibly the most pressing need for the Celtics is a rim-protecting Center. Despite his poor defense, Andre Drummond fits the mold here. A good rebounder, Drummond would help the Celtics compete for defensive & offensive boards. The Celtics are a good defensive team anyway and could provide cover for his inevitable missed assignments. Trading for a true Center would also allow the Celtics to move Al Horford, the team’s prized off-season purchase, to his more natural Power Forward position.
There may be some legs to this deal, too, if you like to speculate. Last night, Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas tweeted the “eyeballs” emoji, something Celtics fans remember him doing minutes before the team announced the Horford signing this summer. The tweet, and subsequent retweet & tweet (lol) by Drummond fueled speculation further.
Oh my word pic.twitter.com/UR89Wdl99O
— Toucher and Rich (@Toucherandrich) February 21, 2017
It probably means nothing, but let’s explore what it’d look like. Similar to Butler, the Pistons are likely going to ask for a lot to acquire the former #1 overall pick. Drummond has received criticism for a lack of effort, so this could be a scenario similar to DeMarcus Cousins, where the Pistons might have to choose between keeping the big man or accepting a Celtics trade that offers less of a haul. The major piece would likely be the 2017 Brooklyn pick, as well as a lesser player. Since Detroit is looking to move Reggie Jackson, too, it would make sense that they’d like to acquire a replacement.
Possible Trade:
BOS Receives: Andre Drummond
DET Receives: 2017 BKN 1st Round Pick, Terry Rozier
VERDICT: Nope.
Celtics Trade for Paul George
Another phenom the Celtics seem to be “in on” is Paul George. The veteran Small Forward is surprisingly still only 26 years old. With an almost identical skill set as Jimmy Butler, a Paul George acquisition would likely require a very similar haul.
Rumors of Paul George being dealt to Boston might also have some truth. ESPN Insider Marc Stein appeard on “The Lowe Post” (a podcast by Zach Lowe), and though he doesn’t believe that George is heading anywhere, he dropped this doozy: “I had an executive last night tell me ‘Boston is going to get Paul George this week.'”
Possible Trade:
BOS Receives: Paul George
IND Receives: 2017 BKN 1st Round Pick, 2019 Celtics First Round Pick, Jae Crowder, Terry Rozier, James Young.
VERDICT: Anything can happen, but what’s the Pacers’ incentive to move George? Probably not going to happen.
Celtics Trade for Blake Griffin
Ever since Doc Rivers went to Los Angeles, it seems like Blake Griffin to Boston rumors appear around this time of year. As one of the league’s best defenders and rebounders inside, Griffin would be a perfect fit for the Celtics.
According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the Celtics are actually in on the big man this year.
“[The Celtics] have talked intermittently with the Clippers about Blake Griffin in recent weeks, per several league sources, but a deal is extremely unlikely. Griffin will be a free agent this summer, and Boston would probably need official permission to talk to him about his future — a concession Minnesota allowed Cleveland before the Kevin Love trade. The Clips would ask for a bounty, starting with Jae Crowder and one of the Avery Bradley/Marcus Smart duo, plus picks, per league sources.”
This one is trickier. As noted before, the one thing that Danny Ainge DOESN’T want is a rental player. This means that the Celtics trade would have to be predicated on a signed extension, an added complexity. Plus, it’s not going to be cheap, either.
Possible Trade:
BOS Receives: Blake Griffin (signed to an extension)
LAC Receives: Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, 2019 Clippers 1st Round Pick (yes, the Celtics own this), multiple 2nd round picks
VERDICT: Probably too expensive and time consuming to get it done. Boston will likely wait to attempt to just sign Griffin in Free Agency.
Celtics Trade for Jahlil Okafor
Jahlil Okafor has had a bit of a rough start to his NBA career. From alledged assault charges stemming from punches thrown outside a Boston night club last season, to being benched numerous times this season, he’s likely looking for a new start.
The Sixers have almost too much talent at the Center position. From Okafor, to Nerlens Noel (though more of a PF), to Joel Embiid, they’re stacked. Philly could easily part with one of their bigs if the price is right. Philly needs another scorer – so for a deal to happen, look for the Sixers to want one of the Bradley/Smart duo in a deal.
Okafor presents a rare opportunity for the Celtics to nab an immense talent at somewhat of a discounted price. Okafor can protect the rim, but can also score with ease and efficiency when hot.
Possible Trade:
BOS Receives Jahlil Okafor
PHI Receives Avery Bradley, 2017 2nd Round Pick, Future 2nd Round Pick
VERDICT: Boston fans should salivate over the chance to get Jahlil. I think this has a legitimate shot.
Celtics Trade for Brook Lopez
You’re probably thinking “why on earth would the Nets trade with Ainge again?” After all, the Celtics are in the position they’re in almost solely because of that deal.
That said, there may actually be a deal to make here. Brook Lopez is signed through next season and the Nets are desperate to get back into the draft. The Celtics could seize, again, on the opportunity to trade with Brooklyn.
Lopez is somewhat of a dual threat. He’s able to log 30+ minutes per game and excels defensively. New this season, he’s added 3-point shooting to his repertoire. This makes him even more attractive for Brad Stevens’ offense. A trade would likely involve the Nets getting back next year’s (2018) first rounder from the Celtics, but would also likely need to include expiring contracts to offset Lopez’s cap hit.
Possible Trade:
BOS Receives Brook Lopez
BKN Receives 2018 BKN 1st Round Pick, Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko
VERDICT: This deal makes sense for both squads. However, I wouldn’t be shocked if Brooklyn’s asking price is too high, forcing Boston to pass. Oddly enough, that helps the Celtics, as the 2018 pick will probably be great, too.
Celtics Trade for Andrew Bogut
Another route for the Celtics would be to acquire a rental Center. Again, this goes against Ainge’s comments, but a player like Andrew Bogut would certainly help the team this year and he might not cost the house.
And while not a sexy acquisition (sorry), Bogut is what the Celtics need in a trade at the deadline: a solid center who still checks all the boxes. Though first round picks shouldn’t be thrown around lightly, it might be just enough to do the job. Bogut’s contract is up an the end of the 2016-2017 season, so the Mavs (currently 12th in the Western Conference) might be willing to move on from the veteran for a future rebuild.
Possible Trade:
BOS Receives Andrew Bogut
DAL Receives 2018 Celtics 1st Round Pick
VERDICT: I think this is an excellent backup option for the Celtics. In fact, it’s plausible that the Celtics acquire another star AND Bogut come Thursday.
Celtics Trade for P.J. Tucker
According to a report earlier in the week, Suns wingman, PJ Tucker is currently drawing ‘deep interest’ from Boston.
Tucker’s contract expires at the end of the year and the physical winger can certainly help with defensive rebounding, one of the Celtics’ biggest needs. At 34.7 percent from 3-point range in his career, Tucker adds that dimension to his game.
Thus, Tucker is a perfect fit if the Celtics find they cannot make a real run for a top-tier talent; the likes of Butler/George. The Celtics already play a ton of different combinations on the floor, a nightmare for opposing coaches. Adding Tucker would *really* increase the team’s lineup versatility. Tucker’s acquisition cost should be cheap, too.
Possible Trade:
BOS Receives PJ Tucker
PHO Receives James Young, multiple 2nd round future picks
VERDICT: This makes sense if the Celtics can’t get top-tier talent, but Tucker is on an expiring deal and his addition alone doesn’t make the team a Finals contender. Thus, it’s unlikely Ainge will want to part with anything for him unless they acquire an elite star, too.
Celtics Trade for Carmelo Anthony
No. No. No. No. No. For many reasons. Character concerns, ball hogging, etc.
Oh, and he is signed to an enormous deal worth $26.2M next year and $28M in 2018-2019. Acquiring Carmelo would definitely put the Celtics in contention for a trip to the NBA Finals this year, but it’s hard to imagine winning it all. Melo would definitely help the team in scoring, a category they’ve almost solely relied on Isaiah Thomas to fulfill. But other than that, Melo would likely hurt the team’s future more than he’d help. Acquiring Carmelo would mean that the Celtics would have to sit out the upcoming free agency class
Possible Trade:
BOS Receives Carmelo Anthony
NYK Receives 2018 BKN 1st Round Pick, Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko
VERDICT: Not until hell freezes over.
Final Thoughts and a Prediction
I think Danny Ainge is actually going to pull the trigger and make a move this time around. Should the Celtics trade for a star, they have the chance to compete THIS YEAR without mortgaging the future.
My gut says that the Celtics will go out and acquire TWO stars. I think there’s a really legitimate possibility that the Celtics trade for one of Butler/George and then go acquire a big man in Okafor/Lopez/Bogut. This would mean an absolutely absurd starting five:
OKAFOR/LOPEZ/BOGUT
Horford
BUTLER/GEORGE
Smart
Thomas
I think in any case, the team will be more likely to deal Avery Bradley than Marcus Smart when it comes down to the two. Bradley is far and away a better player NOW, but he’s reaching the end of his team-friendly contract and will likely get a max-contract. I don’t see the Celtics as the team giving him the money when the time comes.
