NBA Trade Deadline: 5 teams primed to make big trades
By Tom West
4. Boston Celtics
There’s no knowing whether or not the Celtics are finally going to get their big star. Right now, it doesn’t seem as though they’re going to land someone like Hassan Whiteside and a bonafide superstar like DeMarcus Cousins is definitely out of the question. However, star players on a slightly lower level, like those discussed on the previous slide, remain as genuine possibilities.
As ESPN’s Kevin Arnowitz and Brian Windhorst have reported, the Celtics are one of several teams who are aggressively pursuing a top difference maker, with Al Horford being one primary target.
"If the Hawks decide to test the market for [Al] Horford, numerous teams would potentially show interest. Sources inform ESPN that the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Magic have been the most aggressive in looking to acquire a veteran difference maker."
Horford could just be the start of the options the Celtics are exploring, though. When speaking with CSNNE, GM Danny Ainge made a somewhat surprising comment by saying that the 2016 first round Brooklyn Nets pick that Boston have the rights to isn’t off the table:
"Ainge: Well, I will probably be spending a lot of time on the phone. When I say probably, I have been reaching out to teams for ideas and have had some feedback, which is customary at the trade deadline. But there’s nothing imminent. At this time of the deadline it’s not usually the best deals being made, so usually no deals get done till closer to the deadline… CSNNE: Danny, how much play has there been for that Brooklyn pick? Have there been any offers that you would consider doable for that Brooklyn pick? Or are you taking it off the table? Ainge: No, I can’t take it off the table. But it’s going to be tough to get."
With the Nets residing at the lowest depths of the NBA with the third worst record at 14-40, their first round pick has an incredible amount of value. For teams desperately in search of a fresh start in 2016-17 who want to accelerate their rebuilding process, it’s worth even more. As Ainge said, though, it’s going to come at a high price, and the Celtics are only going to want a star player in exchange for the pick and any of their other assets.
Who the Celtics plan on using in a trade is unclear, but they’ve built up so many picks and players and it’s time to translate some quantity into quality. Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger and David Lee are some names that spring to mind, while their plethora of draft picks (besides their 2016 first round pick from the Nets) give them even more notable assets. They have so many talented young players that many teams would love to get their hands, and even Lee’s expiring $15.49 million contract gives them a purely financial trade asset.
Besides Horford, the Celtics have also supposedly expressed some interest in Jeff Teague, Dwight Howard (this hasn’t developed further, and it’s far from being a brilliant idea), Shabazz Muhammad, Tobias Harris and various other names as the weeks have gone by.
What trades the Celtics could make is still based on too many rumors and speculation right now. Yet, as the organization who easily have the most chips on the table for NBA deadline week, you can expect them to make a bold move.
Next: Major change in Orlando?