NBA Trade Rumors: Boston Celtics begin talks on deal for Paul George
By John Buhler
The Indiana Pacers have made All-Star small forward Paul George available for trade. Will the Boston Celtics put together the right package to land him?
It has been established. The Boston Celtics can put together the necessary trade package to land themselves a superstar at the 2017 NBA trade deadline. What hasn’t been established is if general manager Danny Ainge is willing to push the button to make a blockbuster trade happen?
With the Indiana Pacers making All-Star small forward Paul George available, will the Celtics do enough to pry George away from the playoff-bound Pacers?
According to the Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical of Yahoo! Sports, the Celtics have now begun to consider the possibility of giving up the sacred Brooklyn Nets’ pick in a deal with the Pacers to land George.
Sources: Boston, Indy had preliminary talk on Paul George, but there won't be real dialogue until/unless C's introduce Nets pick into deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 23, 2017
Update on Boston, Indy: Boston hasn't met Indiana's asking price on Paul George, but Nets pick has entered conversation now, sources say.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 23, 2017
Ainge was initially reluctant to throw in the Nets’ 2017 first-round pick, which the Celtics own in a right to a pick swap. Brooklyn is the worst team in basketball. The likelihood of that pick being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft is strong.
If Ainge is willing to part ways with that coveted Nets’ pick, then he may be able to land a player the caliber of George. A starting lineup that features Isaiah Thomas at point guard, George at small forward, and Al Horford at center can honestly challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
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Ainge has carefully accumulated assets for the purpose of pulling off a blockbuster trade of this magnitude. While Boston will have to lose the rights to the Nets’ pick, it is worth it to get a player like George. The hope is that the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft would become a player as good as George. So why not go get a superstar and push for an NBA title today?