5 trades to help the Boston Celtics fix what’s broken
4. Celtics trade for Ricky Rubio
Celtics get: Ricky Rubio
Cavaliers get: Dennis Schroeder, Josh Richardson
If there is a mutual interest in re-signing him, the Celtics should strongly consider trading for Rubio at the deadline. Boston is in desperate need of a floor general who can shoulder the playmaking responsibilities, rather than a scoring point guard. The Celtics are currently 22nd in assists per game and 23rd in assist to turnover ratio this season.
Rubio is a quintessential pass-first point guard, who boasts a career average of 7.6 assists per game, and has provided steady, reliable playmaking for every team he’s been a part of. Unfortunately, Rubio’s resurgent season was cut short due to a torn ACL, and he finished averaging 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. If he can get healthy and pick up where he left off, Rubio could do wonders in Boston, facilitating and generating easier looks for a roster with tons of scoring, but no true floor general to keep everyone happy.
On the other end, Cleveland receives Dennis Schroeder and Josh Richardson. Schroeder, a 6-foot-1 guard, is an instant offensive spark plug, who is averaging 16.1 points per game and can seamlessly fit alongside other ball-dominant guards, as he did in Oklahoma City alongside Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This would allow Cleveland to use Schroder in a variety of ways, and give the Cavs a solid backup behind Garland, who could also play alongside him for stretches, if needed. Schroder could also potentially be packaged in another deal or insurance that allows them to explore trading Collin Sexton as well.
Richardson, who’s averaging just under 10 points per game, would add immediate wing scoring, addressing one of Cleveland’s biggest needs, and also 3-point shooting, on a roster that sits in the middle of the pack (15th) for 3-point percentage in the NBA. Although Rubio and Schroeder are both on expiring deals, there’s long-term potential on both sides. For Schroeder, Cleveland’s offense would allow him to thrive in a role as a bonafide scorer off the bench similar to his role in Oklahoma City. For Rubio, he’s handed the keys to an offense that is sorely lacking in shot creation and playmaking at the lead guard spot — which is his best asset.