Boston Celtics: three possible Clint Capela trades

The Boston Celtics are reportedly in hot pursuit of Houston Rockets center Clint Capela. Here are three different ways they can get a deal done. rnAfter the Houston Rockets flamed out in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, rumors began to swirl that the team can look to reshuffle its deck. The Boston Celtics, who are in a similar predicament, always seemed like an appropriate trading partner.rnrnIt appears as though we may be inching closer to what a deal would look like between the two teams. Mainly, Clint Capela appears to be the main target for the Boston Celtics.&#xA0; rnrnBoston has the pieces to make a trade work. There are several different iterations of how a deal would go down.rnrnWe’re here to explore who it would take and how the team would look afterwards. Without further ado, here are the three ways the Boston Celtics can acquire Capela this offseason:rnrn[nextslide teaser="Attaching%20picks%20to%20Gordon%20Hayward%20" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_77521" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Gordon Hayward and the Boston Celtics are letting it fly from deep this season. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Celtics get: Clint Capela, Eric Gordon rn Rockets get: Gordon Hayward, #14, #20, #22 picks in 2019 NBA Draft rnThe first scenario is one that improves the short-term outlook of the Boston Celtics. It also, unfortunately, comes at a big price.rnrnFor the Rockets to take on Gordon Hayward’s final two years, it’s going to take some draft considerations. And by some, I do unfortunately mean their entire cupboard of first round picks this year.rnrnThe catch is that in addition to Capela, the Celtics would also acquire Eric Gordon, who still has plenty of value as a 3-point sniper and sixth man. That’s the only way to make the money work for a swap.rnrnWhile Capela would obviously slot in at the center position for Boston, Gordon would provide a nice backup scorer for the Celtics’ bench. They may need that if Terry Rozier skips town, as he is expected to.&#xA0; rnrnThe Celtics would be giving up only one lottery pick in this scenario. While it would sting to lose so much prospective youth, this would be a good way to get a cost-controlled center for the next four seasons.rnrnIt is worth the risk to improve the team in the immediate future, because getting out of Hayward’s deal is the key here. If you could flip him for useful players that can help you win, you do it.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Trading%20a%20wing%20for%20a%20big" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_70307" align="alignnone" width="3346"] BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 28: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets fouls Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of the game at TD Garden on December 28, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Celtics get: Clint Capela rn Rockets get: Marcus Smart, Guerschon Yabusele, #20 and #22 picks in 2019 NBA Draft rnThe Boston Celtics would be losing a big part of their team by trading away Marcus Smart. He displays the attitude that more Celtics should have had during the season with his relentlessness on the court and his relentlessness to get back on the court after his injury.rnrnThough he wasn’t necessarily very effective in his playoff return, just by showing up he showed his commitment to the team. Unfortunately, we’ve seen what an unwavering loyalty to the Celtics can get you.rnrnAsk Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley.rnrnRegardless, trading away Smart would be...smart. The Boston Celtics are pretty crowded on the wings, with Jaylen Brown presumably locked back in to the starting shooting guard spot. Though the Celtics will likely need more wing depth, they absolutely need a true modern center.rnrnCapela is exactly that. He is efficient, defensively apt and explosive. His 65% shooting the past three seasons may be a nice compliment to an increased role for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who may see their shooting percentages dip with increased responsibility offensively.rnrnTo get a deal done, it would probably require a few picks going Houston’s way. Capela is a superior player to Smart at this point, and Smart would likely be a bench player in Houston. That’s where the picks come in. Guerschon Yabusele is really nothing more than a throw-in to make the numbers work but he may flourish playing alongside James Harden as a big-bodied pick-and-roll man.rnrn[nextslide teaser="A%20blockbuster%20for%20the%20ages" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_79208" align="alignnone" width="3200"] SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 6: Gordon Hayward #20 and Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics high-five during a game against the Sacramento Kings on March 6, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)[/caption]rn Celtics get: Clint Capela, Chris Paul, Nene rn Rockets get: Gordon Hayward, Al Horford rnThis would be a seismic trade for both teams. The Rockets would be acquiring two playmakers to surround James Harden with that can create for themselves and others. The Boston Celtics would be acquiring a pick-and-roll duo that would be surrounded by potential future all-star wings.rnrnIf you’re the Rockets, you are opening up the books sooner with Al Horford’s deal being just a one year deal (assuming he opts into his $30 million player option) and Hayward’s deal being one year shorter than Paul’s massive pact.rnrnSpeaking of which, the Celtics would inherit two long-term deals with this trade. They would be opening up the floor for Tatum and Brown, though, with Paul now running the show and Capela being able to cover up defensive lapses at the rim.rnrnThis trade fundamentally changes the Boston Celtics offense. No longer would Horford be used as an offensive fulcrum that can drive to the rim or find cutters streaking to the basket. Instead, Paul would be holding the ball quite a bit looking to find his two perimeter threats in Brown and Tatum or Capela rolling to the rim.rnrnThis trade is an all-in gamble on the team being able to compete in the East the next year or two before Paul’s deal becomes an albatross. Capela is probably the best asset in this deal though.rnrnLosing Horford hurts, but that’s the price of business. Both teams would have a fresh outlook and a different team structure. Could that get them over the hump in their respective conferences?rnrn[story_link_next description="15%20greatest%20Celtics%20draft%20steals%20" url="https://hardwoodhoudini.com/2019/06/10/boston-celtics-15-greatest-draft-steals-franchise-history/" /]rnrnThis trade likely improves Boston more than it does Houston. This is a blockbuster, but Ainge is good for a blockbuster every few summers.

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Boston Celtics: three possible Clint Capela trades

The Boston Celtics are reportedly in hot pursuit of Houston Rockets center Clint Capela. Here are three different ways they can get a deal done.

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