Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins take all the attention on All Star Sunday, making the most intriguing front court duo in the NBA
After a let down on Saturday of All Star weekend, it took an all time Woj bomb was dropped shortly after the game finished. After securing MVP on a record setting night, Anthony Davis finally gets the teammate he has been looking for his whole career in DeMarcus Cousins. The New Orleans Pelicans were forced to sacrifice the majority of their assets, but it still feels as though they got tremendous value for him.
The frustrating part for Boston Celtics fans is that they know that they have more than enough assets to have outbid the Pelicans. The Celtics have multiple draft picks that are much better, and more promising young players.
The Celtics made it clear that they are not willing to sacrifice much of their future for Cousins. It may have something to do with the risk of losing him free agency, but the Celtics certainly had their reasons for not pushing for Cousins.
Danny Ainge has spoken multiple times about getting transcendent talent, and this would have been his best opportunity to get it. Cousins also would have helped by addressing their weakest spot in the starting lineup.
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Cousins’ phenomenal versatility also would have been a phenomenal fit in Brad Stevens’ offense. It would have changed a lot of their small ball philosophy, however. With Kelly Olynyk playing behind them, the Celtics would have three different players that could stretch the floor at the five, and they would not be playing nearly as many small ball minutes.
Amir Johnson fits quite well with the Celtics. He does his job well and helps in a lot of different ways. It is absurd to say Johnson is anywhere near the talent Cousins is, but that kind of player would force the Celtics to adjust.
Perhaps they do not believe in the direction they’d have to take with Cousins, but fans have been imagining a player like Cousins for years now, and he was certainly within reach.
Once thing to keep in mind is that trading in season is always a lot more difficult, and there will be more opportunities this summer. Taking into account free agency, the Celtics will be in a much better position to utilize their assets in the summer. That being said, it is a rarity to acquire a player of the caliber of Cousins in any capacity, and this was certainly a lost opportunity.
The Celtics have also never really been known to have expressed interest in Cousins. Without any real pursuit of him, the Celtics would have felt as though they were forcing things in going after him. If they are going to be spending their assets, they want it to be on a player they truly believe in. Unfortunately, there is no way the Celtics will get a deal anywhere near as good as the Pelicans got for Cousins.
The trade deadline is still a week away, and the name that have been continually connected to the Celtics are Jimmy Butler and Paul George. Again, a trade coming through is still very unlikely, especially in the middle of the season. That being said, it could be an interesting week if the Celtics start making serious offers for one of these players.
It is much more likely that the Celtics do a much smaller trade. They have many first round picks in addition to the two Nets picks, and there are certainly rotation players that could be available for those picks, allowing the Celtics to address some immediate needs, without threatening anything.
The Celtics have been patient throughout, and this makes it clear that they will not be rushing things. Their future continues to look brighter and brighter, and the Celtics are not going to risk it for anything that are not sure of.
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With a week left we’ve already seen two massive trades that could shake up both conferences. A lot of teams are doing a lot of talking for a lot of big players right now, and the Celtics have a lot of potential control with the kind of assets that no one else can compete with in the NBA.