Fansided

Each NBA team’s 2020 New Year’s resolution

By Gerald Bourguet

MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during a game on December 19, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images).
MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during a game on December 19, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images). /
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Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images /

Boston Celtics: Make a trade for a big

Despite ranking third in defensive rating and seventh in opponent field goal percentage, the Boston Celtics should not be under the illusion that a back line of Daniel Theis, Enes Kanter and Robert Williams will be enough come playoff time — especially with dominant bigs like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid representing their largest obstacles in the East.

Danny Ainge doesn’t have much wiggle room, especially with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown playing like borderline All-Stars. Marcus Smart remains intrinsic to their underdog identity and defensive mentality, and matching salaries for even a mid-salary player would most likely force Boston to include one of its four best players.

That should automatically be a no-go unless it’s for someone like Karl-Anthony Towns (SPOILER ALERT: It won’t be), which is a pity, since even someone like the disgruntled Dewayne Dedmon would go a long way in stretching the floor and protecting the rim. But whether it’s this season, this summer or by the close of 2020, the Celtics must improve their frontcourt situation in order to take a legitimate step toward becoming contenders.

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