20 best players who could be available at NBA trade deadline

By John Buhler | Feb 13, 2017

Feb 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts after being called for a foul during the overtime against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center. Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Washington Wizards 140-135 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 10, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Celtics 114-106. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Jae Crowder

Small Forward, Boston Celtics

Do the Celtics want to trade Jae Crowder? No, but he is the piece that general manager Danny Ainge will have to surrender should he want to land a superstar before the trade deadline. Ainge first gained Crowder in a deal with the Dallas Mavericks two years ago for disgruntled point guard Rajon Rondo.

Crowder has proven to be a key starter for a contending team at the small forward. Rondo is on his third team since the Mavericks trade and might be on his way out of the league. What makes Crowder so compelling to so many general managers is his inherent versatility.

Crowder has the lateral quickness to guard most players out on the perimeter, as well as having the physicality to bang in the low post if he has to. Add in that Crowder is a strong offensive player and he is the best trade asset the Celtics have currently on their roster.

Ainge won’t want to part ways with Crowder, but he does have to realize that Crowder is the key. If Ainge makes a trade for a star player, Crowder is absolutely going the other way in a blockbuster trade as the featured player.

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