Fansided

NBA Trade Deadline 2018: 5 trades to help Boston keep its momentum

By Jeremy Lambert

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 14: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans high fives his teammates during the game against the New York Knicks on January 14, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 14: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans high fives his teammates during the game against the New York Knicks on January 14, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Cavaliers
SAN ANTONIO, TX – JANUARY 23: LeBron James /

3. Cleveland Blocker

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly looking to acquire George Hill and DeAndre Jordan. They’ll likely end up with neither. It would be the most petty move ever if the Celtics were to swoop in and grab both guys. Let’s add to Cleveland’s misery.

Look, Gordon Hayward isn’t playing this season. Who knows how he’ll play upon his return next season. Can the Celtics take the risk? Yes, they can. And they likely will. But it’s no fun to play it safe.

Really, Hayward has to be included in this deal because, for some reason, the Kings gave Hill a three-year deal worth $57 million. If they gave him a more reasonable contract, the Celtics could get away with potentially keeping Hayward. This is not my fault. This is the fault of Sacramento’s front office.

You may think Danny Ainge is not heartless enough to trade Hayward, but, have you met Isaiah Thomas?

The Celtics get immediate help with this deal. More importantly, they block the Cavaliers from getting rid of Derrick Rose, J.R. Smith, and Iman Shumpert. That’s the real goal of this trade. Improving your current team is fine. Making sure LeBron James is still stuck with a bunch of dead weight is how you win championships.

Trading Hayward to the Clippers also ensures that Ainge will look like a genius in three years when Hayward can’t return to full health. On any other team, he would likely be fine. But you just know that, on the Clippers, he’s going to be dealing with injury problems for the rest of his career.

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