NBA Trade Deadline: 5 teams now relying on free agency

By Tom West | Feb 20, 2016

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 25: Members of the Houston Rockets huddle on the court during their game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on December 25, 2015 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

6 of 6

BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 09: Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden on December 9, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Bulls 105-100. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics

You can look at the Celtics’ lack of activity at the NBA trade deadline in two ways. On one hand, they should have capitalized with their plethora of assets to pursue a star that can help take them to another level. On the other hand, with they way they’ve over-performed this season already as the new 3rd seed in the East, they didn’t need to lose major assets to bring in a star immediately; especially someone on an expiring contract like Al Horford.

The Celtics have exceeded all expectations with one All-Star in Isaiah Thomas and a team that’s largely made up of role players (albeit highly talented ones). It speaks volumes about the coaching of Brad Stevens and the culture they’re establishing as a top passing team with the 3rd ranked defense in the NBA. It’s almost scary how well they’ve been playing after winning 13 of their last 17 games, and they’re still armed with a stash of top draft picks (three first-rounders this year, including the Brooklyn Nets’) to get even better.

They have well and truly maximized their talent, and while it was expected Danny Ainge would pull off a blockbuster trade, it’s ok nothing happened.

Al Horford, Jeff Teague, Blake Griffin, Kevin Love and (thankfully) Dwight Howard are all names that were connected and ultimately came to nothing as the deadline passed. So, whether you view this as disappointing or patient, the Celtics are left as a top team in the East with all their assets and picks intact and no worries of losing a newly acquired star in free agency this summer.

Regardless of being in such a strong position going forward, though, the Celtics will still need to make changes. They’re ahead of schedule and their rebuild process has suddenly jolted forward, but they need another go-to scorer to work alongside Thomas and an upgrade to their frontcourt.

In search for their star, the Celtics have the 2016 NBA draft to add top rookie talent or make a serious trade when someone inevitably pursues that Nets pick, and free agency with cap space to pursue those available. The options are there; they just need to make the most of them to ensure their 2016-17 campaign lives up to its high potential.

Home/Boston Celtics