Boston Celtics: 3 players that could find themselves on the trading block by February’s deadline

Enes Kanter

When the Boston Celtics inked Enes Kanter to a two-year, $9.7 million contract this offseason, I personally deemed the signing as “one of free agency’s biggest steals.” His tenacity in the rebounding department is rivaled by few in the league — especially offensive rebounds — and his post game is truly a thing of beauty, with his quick spin moves and oscar-worthy pump fakes down low.

And, while he has showcased all these attributes during his short time with the Celtics thus far — 7.8 points and 6.4 rebounds (2.8 offensive) on 56% shooting in 16 minutes per game — it would appear that, though certainly valuable, they are not the skills Boston necessarily needs from their pivot.

Currently constructed, Beantown has more than enough offensive firepower in their rotation, as they have four players averaging 17+ points a night (Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward), three of which are hovering in the 20’s (Walker, Tatum and Brown). As made evident by their matchup’s against top-tier big men (i.e. Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic) the C’s need not another stellar offensive weapon in the post but, rather, one that can stop opposing team’s bigs while on defense.

Defense, as we are all well aware, is not Kanter’s forte. For his career he holds a messily defensive box +/- rating of -1.5 and a block-percentage of just 1.6.

While the Boston Celtics have managed to do just fine so far in 2019-20 — as evident by their 18-7 record — they have oft proven susceptible to opposing big men.

Yes, I am quite aware Kanter is not the team’s starting-five. So, before you go off saying “Daniel Theis has also attributed to their lackadaisical play down low on ‘D’”  let me explain why he’s on this list and not Theis.

Kanter, with his specific skill set coupled with his very team-friendly contract, is perhaps the most realistic/ valuable trade asset Boston has at center. An opposing team looking for more offensive and/ or rebounding fire-power in the front-court — the Utah Jazz perhaps? — could be very intrigued by bringing on someone of Enes Kanter’s abilities.