Can anyone on the Boston Celtics roster really be considered “untouchable”?
In recent weeks, the Houdini has been all about concocting trades of all shapes and sizes for the Boston Celtics as training camp rapidly approaches. In regards to Danny Ainge’s treasure trove of assets, is there really any player that can be considered “untouchable” in negotiations?
It is addicting to imagine what different players can be slotted into trade packages in order to move the needle closer to championship contention for the Boston Celtics. While they are considered a top team in the Eastern Conference heading into the 2019-20 season, there is always room for improvement.
The 2018-19 NBA Champion Toronto Raptors made moves of varying magnitudes late in the season that added up to winning it all. Though Canada’s favorite basketball team gave up numerous assets in the process, ultimately, the risk was worth the reward.
The Boston Celtics have a bevy of chips at the poker table. It’s been two years since Danny Ainge has gone all-in via a mega-deal. In hindsight, however, there weren’t any great losses in acquiring Kyrie Irving in 2017 besides the pick that ended up being Colin Sexton. Boston didn’t quite achieve what was hoped for or expected, but it is not as though they came away with no positive developments and playoff memories.
With the way the Eastern Conference landscape appears, there’s no longer an omniscient ruler like LeBron James. Kawhi Leonard had a brief run atop the East last year, but he was a mercenary that left Toronto for the city of angels this past summer. Milwaukee’s potential has stalled, with overspending to retain their core but still losing a key piece in Malcom Brogdon. Philadelphia lost a huge reason why a Ben Simmons backcourt was so well-spaced when J.J. Redick signed with the New Orleans Pelicans.
By the way, Brooklyn isn’t scaring anyone this season. Kyrie Irving had a superior supporting cast with the Boston Celtics. Until Kevin Durant suits up, Irving is playing with a roster that feels like a team destined for no higher seeding than fifth in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Celtics could be a key piece away from being that clear cut contender. Now, in order to attain a headliner, Ainge may be forced to dangle members of the team’s nucleus. But at what point should the Boston Celtics president of basketball operations hold…or fold?
This is all asking the simple question of whether or not there is anybody on the roster that is “untouchable” in trade talks.
As previously mentioned, the Boston Celtics roster is lined with players all seen as valuable assets in a potential swap. There are no long-term albatrosses and no one on the team has more than ten years of NBA service. The value Ainge has brought up and down the roster is undeniable.
But lest we forget, Ainge is cut throat. Isaiah Thomas was packaged away after providing the Boston Celtics of 2017 an emotional boost by dropping over 50 points on his recently deceased sister’s birthday against the Washington Wizards in a series that went seven games. No one on this roster has achieved the folk-lore status Thomas had.
That said, Ainge has already committed to this core by not pulling the trigger on deals for Kawhi Leonard, Paul George or Anthony Davis is recent years. Trading Jayson Tatum away now for any potentially available star (think Bradley Beal or Devin Booker) would be nothing short of a New York Knicks-ian maneuver. The Tatum trade-train has left the station.
Jaylen Brown is another player who Ainge decided was worth gambling on. Though he would be easier to move in a deal (with a potentially eye-popping contract looming), it would take a lot to move on from Brown, particularly with a strong Team USA showing under his belt.
In terms of untouchable, however, Brown is far from excludable in a deal for a premiere big man. If the final piece needed to put Boston over the top is a center, and one like Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis or Andre Drummond becomes available…you know the rest.
Gordon Hayward has of course been a popular trade target of mine. His $32 million cap figure and player option at the end of the year simply make him easy to picture in trade scenarios. Marcus Smart‘s $13 million is easy to picture pawning off as well.
The last key cog in the Boston Celtics machine yet to be discussed is Kemba Walker. In what scenario would it be possible for Ainge to give up on his max-contract All-NBA free agent splash? Simply put, any trade involving Walker needs to be for a player at his level — at least.
Damian Lillard and D’Angelo Russell are the only names that spring to my mind that fit the Celtics’ timeline like Walker does. Why then, wouldn’t you just roll with Walker, who knew he wanted to be in Boston after talks with the Charlotte Hornets died?
Essentially, Walker and Tatum are the only two that feel like longterm foundational pieces. Granted, if you could build your organization around an MVP like Giannis Antetokounmpo or James Harden, you throw all of your chips on the table. However, that table may only exist in the hypothetical.
Next. Ainge shutting down Jaylen Brown’s comments could spark a fire under the fourth year pro. dark
Given the situation the Boston Celtics currently find themselves in, it feels like this core will be given the chance to prove they are top dogs in the East before Ainge is wheeling and dealing in the trade market.