5 stars the Boston Celtics should try to trade for

Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has a treasure trove of assets, but what should he use them on? Here are five stars the Celtics could try to trade for.

Under the direction of general manager Danny Ainge, the Boston Celtics have stockpiled assets and consistently made moves to improve the long-term health of their organization.

They have one of the deepest teams in the league and arguably have no bad contracts. With the next two first round picks still owed to them from the 8-28 Brooklyn Nets amongst other assets, their future is surely bright.

The Celtics may be wise to make a move with their assets soon. They simply need to consolidate players and picks into more valuable pieces at this point. Among all of the players on their 15-man roster, only Gerald Green has little trade value. Al Horford is the only other Celtics player on their roster over the age of 26.

Boston has a deep roster as is. They also are owed eight draft picks in the next three drafts and own the rights to four recently drafted players not on their roster. They only have 15 roster spots and need to make a move based on pure math. Ainge has been apprehensive to make a move that doesn’t provide good opportunity cost, but may not have that luxury at this point.

The Celtics are 23-14, good enough for third in the Eastern Conference. They have managed to improve each year of their rebuild but probably still aren’t good enough to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs. Trading for a star could change that.

Here are five star players that the Boston Celtics should be inquiring about:

5. Demarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Demarcus Cousins has been rumored to be leaving the tumultuous Sacramento Kings for most of his career. The Celtics have been in asset acquiring mode since 2013, and the possibility of Boogie Cousins ending up in Boston has been often discussed over these last few seasons. Sacramento has made their desire to offer Cousins an extension worth over $200 million next summer public at this point. It isn’t known whether Cousins would accept that offer.

It would take a lucrative offer for the Boston Celtics to acquire the Kings’ franchise centerpiece. However, Boston could make a lucrative offer. The Kings could begin a promising rebuild. They could receive a starter from Boston and rebuild with them and the Nets picks. This move would also open up minutes for other young bigs on their roster. Add in whatever they receive for Rudy Gay, Kosta Koufos, and Ben McLemore, and the Kings could have a bright future without Cousins.

Each day that the Kings hold on to Demarcus Cousins, his trade value decreases. Cousins’ contract expires after next season; they could lose him for nothing. If Boogie decides not to return to a franchise that has largely been inept, no one would blame him. The Celtics represent the best chance for a return on Cousins, it’s just up to the Kings to make that decision.

The Celtics would become an instant contender if they got Cousins. Both him and Al Horford are versatile players and can mesh together. Horford’s career may be extended if he is able to play on the perimeter more as well. Cousins is one of the most talented players in the world. They should make this move if they have the chance.