While its unlikely than an Anthony Davis trade will happen this season, it’s never too early to start imagining how great a fit the Boston Celtics would be.
The Boston Celtics play host to the New Orleans Pelicans and put their five-game winning streak on the line at the TD Garden Monday night.
Anthony Davis may or may not play after suffering a hip injury in the win against Detroit Sunday, but with the star center in town the talk will almost certainly center around the Big Anthony Davis Trade.
Of course, Davis cannot be traded to Boston until after the season when Kyrie Irving‘s current deal expires due to a CBA technicality. But that won’t stop Boston Celtics fans from dreaming of seeing the 6-foot-10 gumby in a green jersey.
Anthony Davis one of the top five best basketball players in the world and he’s only 25 years old, set to enter the prime of his basketball career. What fan base wouldn’t want him on their team?
With another year left on his contract before he can opt out, Davis isn’t likely to be traded this season. New Orleans will want as much time as possible to convince Davis to stay before they pull the cord and release the parachute on a blockbuster deal.
With that in mind, we aren’t likely to see Davis playing in Boston anytime soon–unless he suits up for Monday’s game.
It’s still fun to think, though: How would he fit in Boston?
A player like Davis can fit in anywhere he plays because he’s so skilled that he makes any team he plays for better. However, there are some teams that could help Davis reach another, higher level in his career and the Celtics are one of those teams.
The Boston front office led by GM Danny Ainge have built an organization that upholds the ethic of the team’s past historical greats, like Red Auerbach, while also pursuing glory in their own way.
Ainge is the guy who traded Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett before they were washed up. He traded the No. 1 pick to the Philadelphia 76ers and came away with a future first round pick and Jayson Tatum, future star. Auerbach must have looked down on that one with a crinkly-eyed, lopsided grin, cigar in hand.
Because of Ainge’s team building, Boston is set up for future success whether Davis joins or not. After spending his whole career so far in New Orleans, Davis must see the Celtics franchise’s stability and success as an enticing opportunity.
I’m sure Brad Stevens would say the same about coaching Davis. A coach could stay up all night dreaming about ways to use the superstar. Better than dreaming up ways to stop him–those never work once the dream ends.
While stability off the court would be great for Davis, who has dealt with a lot of different coaches and changes in New Orleans, the Boston Celtics potential to lift Davis up as a basketball player is more exciting.
While some have criticized Brad Stevens’ offensive coaching over years (fairly and unfairly), Boston had a top 10 offense two years in a row under Stevens until last season, when they lost Gordon Hayward and, later, Kyrie Irving. The Celtics offensive rating this season stands at 11th, per NBA.com/stats, after an historic 5-game winning streak.
One thing that always been true is that big men who are strong ball-handlers and decision-makers thrive in Stevens’ system, which puts an emphasis on dribble handoffs and quick side-to-side pick-and-roll play.
After watching all of Anthony Davis’ assists this season, a few things became clear: 1) the Pelicans scorekeepers are a generous lot 2) a large portion of Davis’ assists come in dribble handoffs and 3) while Davis isn’t the most aspirational passer, he makes good decisions with the ball and he can dissect the court quickly.
See how easy Jrue Holiday scores here because Anthony Davis’ defender is afraid to leave him for the lob dunk.
Then, with the defense leaning to cover the dribble hand off, Davis faces up his man Frank Kaminksy and takes him off the dribble, kicking out to Tim Frazier for a wide open three. Simple play, but great result.
Here’s another counter move when the Hornets defender tries to stop the dribble hand off with Julius Randle, who beats him backdoor.
None of this plays are especially glamorous, but its the ability to run them over and over at top speed without getting tired or making a mental mistake that sets players like Davis apart.
Since Stevens has taken over in Boston, the Celtics have shown that high IQ big men like Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk and Al Horford thrive under the responsibilities of the system. Horford has had his two highest assist seasons since joining Boston.
Davis already averages 4.9 assists per game, but could really hone his playmaking skills under Stevens and with teammates like Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. The Pelicans center is already adept at running dribble hand offs with Tim Frazier and E’Twaun Moore and helping them get buckets; imagine him instead with Irving and Hayward in those same actions.
Oftentimes, opposing coaches will opt to leave Al Horford, a top 10 three-point shooter last season, alone at the arc in order send a double team at Irving in the pick-and-roll. Leaving Horford alone is already dangerous enough. If you leave Davis, you’re liable to get dunked on.
Al Horford is not nearly the athlete of Davis, so he gets an open 15-footer, but Davis would likely get a dunk here because both defenders in the corners, Derrick Rose and TJ Gibson, are occupied by 40 percent three-point shooters, Kyrie Irving and Marcus Morris, respectively.
Just watch Horford, who is the not nearly the athlete of Davis, get easy baskets. Now pretend you’re Anthony Davis watching these highlights, pretending to be Al Horford. Good.
That’s not to say Davis and Horford can’t and won’t play together. Horford could very easily agree to a long-term extension or re-sign at a lower price to play along the next great center and compete for championships.
Horford and Davis are both versatile enough on both ends of the court to make the pairing work. Horford is a plus three-point shooter, a bully in the post, and a more than willing passer. Davis is the lob-catching threat the Celtics don’t have (except with Garbage Time Lord Robert Williams III) and so much more.
Davis is an All-Defense candidate on his own, but with the Stevens system and great teammates around him, he could win a Defensive Player of the Year award.
The 25-year old can guard the opposing center, allowing Horford to play at the four spot where he feels more comfortable and has formed the most formidable wall with center Aron Baynes the last year plus. Davis and Horford can both switch screens and stay in front of smaller guards and would make for a devastating defensive tandem with their length, quick feet, and instincts.
If Horford doesn’t return when his contract runs out, Davis can run endless pick-and-rolls with Kyrie Irving and take over as a focal playmaker like Horford has done. Either way, its fun to imagine.
The Boston Celtics have a great team already that can contend for a championship, but the Anthony Davis trade dreams won’t die because its too fun to picture him in Boston–probably even for Dealer Danny Ainge.