For the first time, Celtics fans should hope for a quiet Deadline.
With the NBA trade deadline approaching so rapidly, it’s going to be easy for the Boston Celtics faithful to get excited. This excitement will no doubt focus around the possibility of acquiring a “star” player. Over the last several weeks, the franchise has been linked to players such as Indiana Pacers forward Paul George and Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler. While both players would substantially improve the Celtics roster, deals like this have to be made with extreme caution.
In the beginning of the season, NO ONE expected this team to be 3 games out of first in the East. This team is beginning to roll at the right time. Some could argue that the injuries have kept the Celtics from fully reaching their potential. While I understand that mentality, I think the better realization here is that the younger pieces for the Celtics have been asked to step up. Have they? Absolutely.
An injury to Avery Bradley allowed the Celtics to turn to rookie forward Jaylen Brown. This then allowed Brown to gain important exposure to the NBA. Because of this, the Celtics have discovered just how ready Brown is for the league right now. Brown looks to be one of the key contributors for this teams future. Bradley’s injury has also lead to the superb play of Marcus Smart, who everyone needs to remember is only 22 years old.
So yes, the team has been playing an encouraging level as of late, but what am I getting at here?
Don’t trade the Nets pick
When I talk about “the” Nets pick in that statement, I am focusing on the 2017 pick. If you had asked me a few weeks ago, I would have told you I don’t believe the Celtics should trade any of the Nets picks. With that being said, there is a realistic future scenario here. Yes, Danny Ainge and company should be looking to make a move to upgrade this roster, but at what cost? I expect the Butler rumors to begin to set fire to timelines all over twitter. Let’s be honest…we are all waiting for that process to happen.
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The truth is when healthy, this Celtics team has an impressive amount of depth. Like stated before, the early season injury to Avery Bradley has led to the emergence of some key players. Even Gerald Green has looked like someone who can help this team during this run. While a lot of us question why the Celtics didn’t go after DeMarcus Cousins, I believe there is a simple process to that reasoning. 1) They never had interest. 2) They want Butler.
While the Butler rumors will continue to tire us, I believe that talk won’t reach the “serious” stage until this summer. The Bulls franchise right now knows they are going nowhere in the playoffs. If you know this, and you are going to trade your Star player, you better make sure that pick is worth it. The Bulls can afford to wait a couple of months. They know that the asking price for Butler will go up if the lottery balls don’t bounce the Celtics way.
This Celtics team has developed an interesting rotation this season. That same rotation has begun to click at the right time. Forward Kelly Olynyk has become one of the more underrated bench assets in the entire NBA. Olynyk has the potential to be a major asset in the playoffs if he continues to stay healthy. The recent success of the rotational players is going to cause some questions in any trade. Any major trade will take away those valuable assets, which will thin out the bench.
In the end, the smart move? Small moves, keep the Nets Pick.
Rumors such as P.J Tucker and Andrew Bogut aren’t going to get people jumping for joy. The truth is though, that those are the type of players that can help this team right away.
Next: Andre Drummond? Yes Please
It is going to be extremely tempting by the Celtics front office to acquire a star. This is mainly due to the incredible emergence of the now “star” in Isaiah Thomas in Boston. I have a lot of interest in this young talented roster going forward next summer. Not only will the Celtics have a potential top 3 pick, but they also have cap space. Attack Free Agency next summer aggressively. Then, you can shine that 2018 Nets pick “golden ticket” in everyone teams face.