Celtics Deadline Rumors at an all Time High
Whenever there is a trade circulating in the NBA, one team is always mentioned to have interest.... the Boston Celtics. Only due to the fact that they are over whelmed with lottery picks and roll players. With star players now in Isaiah Thomas and Al Hortford, and rising stars in Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart.
With this core of great players the Celtics are one great player away from being a legit threat to Cleveland in the East. So what is Danny Ainge going to do? With Danny Ainge's poor history of drafting players, many are hoping he ends up trading the picks away to help the team right now.
Well, the main hole in the Celtics right now is rebounding. With players on the market such as Jahlil Okafor and Andrew Bogut, the Celtics have a shot to fill that hole if they pull the trigger. Both with help the team with the rebounding problem and low post scoring without breaking the bank. In my own opinion nothing more than a 2nd rounder and a decent role player such as Jonas Jerebko or Terry Rozier. Other big rebounders such as Andre Drummond have been seen to be "up for trades" but grabbing a big name like that will take more money and more assets than the others.
As for the big names, DeMarcus Cousins is now on the Pelicans, and the Celtics revealed they never truly wanted him, so where does that leave us? With two big name All-Stars in Jimmy Butler and Paul George. Both of these players are great scorers from all over and will give the Celtics that edge to possibly put them over Cleveland. But what are the Celtics willing to deal for one of them?
Rumors are that Chicago is looking for both of the Brooklyn picks which is a lot, along with other players, such as Terry Rozier and Amir Johnson, which is a lot for a player despite his caliber of play. On the other hand, Paul George is coming from a team who is looking to bring other names in to try to make a playoff run such as Brook Lopez, getting him would be a little bit harder and possibly more. Another player that would benefit the Celtics in the playoffs this year would be the 10x All-Star, Carmelo Anthony. He would provide a great outside shot and allow the floor to be spread more. The downfalls to him, are his salary and age. He's 32 right now and isn't getting any younger, he's also due 25+million and would increase if he was traded, that much money would bleed into the upcoming years and hurt the future most likely, in my opinion he's a no go, but Danny Ainge might see differently...
The most reasonable thing for the Celtics to do? Go. Get. Butler. NOW.