NBA Rumors: Celtics not trading for Russell Westbrook, DeMarcus Cousins

While many thought that the Boston Celtics were going to orchestrate a blockbuster trade this summer, it seems that nothing is imminent on that front.

According to Boston Celtics beat writer for The Boston Globe Adam Himmelsbach, while rumors have circulated that Boston would try to orchestrate blockbuster deal with many of their intriguing assets to acquire another superstar, it seems that there won’t be a big deal coming any time soon.

Since general manager Danny Ainge decided it was time to blow up the Big Three (Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce) after the 2012 NBA Playoffs, the Celtics have been in rebuilding mode. That hasn’t meant that the Celtics haven’t been competitive since, as Boston has made the Eastern Conference Playoffs in back-to-back years in 2015 and 2016 under exciting young head coach Brad Stevens.

However, while Ainge has done a marvelous job of stockpiling assets, he has yet to be able to put together the blockbuster trade that would theoretically get the Celtics over the top. Boston has two All-Star caliber players in point guard Isaiah Thomas and recently signed center Al Horford, but neither are transformative superstars that can get the Celtics back to the NBA Finals.

Players like Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls, DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings, and Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers would be great gets for Ainge’s Celtics, but Boston isn’t willing to part ways with Thomas, the lone asset that would have any club’s undeniable interest.

None of Boston’s players are bad, as Ainge has carefully acquired solid NBA players with high floors, but unless Ainge is willing to include Thomas in a trade package, Boston will have to wait at least a little while longer to get that true superstar they covet.

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