Trade Rumor: Boston Celtics Look to Andrew Bogut as Secondary Option
The Boston Celtics could target Andrew Bogut if no other trade falls through before the deadline
All the hype will be about players like Paul George, Jimmy Butler or Blake Griffin, but the Boston Celtics are planning with the knowledge that those kinds of blockbuster deals are very difficult to actually get done. Andrew Bogut has now emerged as one of the main players to keep an eye on as a fall back plan (Via NESN).
Bogut is the kind of player that directly addresses Boston’s two biggest issues, providing immediate help without costing much of the future. In fact, the Celtics have so many draft picks that it almost benefits them to send some of them away, in order to avoid having too many roster decision to make with how many players must be drafted.
Bogut has been an established player in the league for years now, and he is a great example of a player that they will know exactly what they are getting out of. Bogut has already proven that he can be a key piece to a championship team, and he has been a huge contributor to some of the best defenses in the league. In fact, Bogut lead the league in Defensive Box Plus minus in two seasons, and lead the league in blocks in another.
Bogut has been a defensive difference maker his whole career, and would make life a lot easier on the Celtics. They would have to accommodate playing with more size, but playing Bogut next to Al Horford gives the Celtics a legitimate chance at being a respectable rebounding team, and having Amir Johnson on the second unit would be a massive defensive upgrade for their depth too.
More from Hardwood Houdini
- Boston Celtics’ two-way contract decision will be made after training camp
- Proposed trade sends Boston Celtics playoff killer to the Cs from rival
- ‘Face of Germany’s stunning run’ in FIBA World Cup not the only ex-Boston Celtics player to win gold
- Proposed Boston Celtics trade target pitched for reunion with fired coach
- Battle For Banner 18: Will Boston Celtics battle historical foe in 2024 Finals?
Bogut has been under 30 minutes per game in each of the last five season, putting his rebounding totals a little low. That being said, his rebounding per 36 minutes has remained consistent, and has been better than 12 in each of the last four seasons.
Bogut is going to be Boston’s best opportunity to specifically address their biggest needs, without having to give up any assets that will be significant to their future. A lot may depend on Danny Ainge’s willingness to sacrifice a bit of value, because the team can more than afford it. With a player like Bogut, they can get something out of what would likely be a throw in for a superstar player, and they have more assets to throw in than anyone else in the NBA. The Celtics could part with their 2018 first round pick without flinching, knowing they have multiple more that draft.
The rumors have been non stop, but Bogut is one that makes a lot of sense in a lot of different ways. Nothing short of a deal can be trusted completely right now, but Bogut is certainly a player that needs to be kept in mind when considering Boston’s trade options.
Taking into account the unlikelihood of one of those blockbuster deals, Bogut can be one of their best options before the deadline. The Celtics can be patient with their best assets, and save them for the offseason, while getting immediate improvements in the areas they need most.
Bogut may not be a flashy player but he is exactly what the Celtics could use. Add in his championship experience for such a young team and the intrigue grows.
Accommodating Bogut also shouldn’t be too hard. He has been comfortable player with teams that play fast and depend entirely on ball movement. Bogut understood the importance of passing with the Warriors. He may not have the kind of assist numbers that Horford is able to put up, but he will always be a willing passer on a team that always needs that out of their front court.
Next: Could Celtics Be After Chandler?
Based on the idea that Bogut is a secondary option, do not expect an actual trade untill the actual deadline, if anything ever actually transpires. Unless another team comes in with a serious offer, the Celtics can feel comfortable about their position to acquire Bogut, while still looking for a bigger deal.