The Boston Celtics are touting the third best record in the league, but may need some help in their front court down the road. Instead of going a traditional route, why not get more creative?
We’ve made it to the halfway point of the 2019-20 NBA season give or take a few games. The Boston Celtics have continued to exceed expectations and are looking to establish a firm grip on the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
Their all-star caliber quartet of Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Gordon Hayward has led the way to a top five offense through stellar perimeter play as they combine to average nearly 80 points a game!
The conversation around this team has been generally positive all year, the only glaring negative consistently pointed out being how the center rotation will fare during the playoffs.
Admittedly, the trio of Daniel Theis, Enes Kanter, and Robert Williams doesn’t exactly scream NBA Championship.
While each center rotation brings something good to the table, they all have pretty exploitable weaknesses as well.
Many have thrown out center suggestions to try and trade for around the league. Ranging from high profile names like Andre Drummond, to more under the radar players like Dewayne Dedmon; but always featuring Hayward as the sacrificial lamb.
While it may be easy to use him as a scapegoat, Hayward is essential to the Celtics’ success now, and perhaps in the next coming years. His value to the organization far exceeds that of a ‘get rich quick’ solution.
With the loss of Al Horford, Brad Stevens put more of an emphasis on the bigs to roll rather than pop out for jump shots after setting screens.
This change in scheme has broken the usual Stevens mold a little bit. The Boston Celtics are second last in the league in catch and shoot attempts, a category where they normally reside on the other end of the spectrum (third in 2019).
Boston is also running more pick and rolls than ever before under Stevens’ reign; going from a 14.6% frequency last year to 21.2% this year.
Some of that is also to the addition of Walker, who has always been an elite pick and roll maestro, but also to get Tatum and Brown a chance to conduct their own symphonies on the court.
As a result of all four stars getting a ton of opportunities to create out of the pick and roll, the Boston Celtics rank third in pull up jumpers per game. Giving them the unofficial title of the jump shooting team of the Eastern Conference.
Stevens has always preached for players to play to their strengths while doing his absolute best to put them in those positions. Perhaps the organization can follow the coaches lead and find a player that follows their offensive profile.
Instead of trying to find a player that can(t) stop Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers, go find one that will make them have to stop you. Fight fire with fire.
Looking at Boston’s roster, they seem to be one or two shooters short. Marcus Smart’s three-point percentage has been up and down all year, and hasn’t looked like himself since returning from an eye infection that sidelined him for three weeks.
After nearly setting a record threes missed without a make, Grant Williams has been shooting 39% from three since his first one went through the net. The only issue is he hasn’t been a high volume shooter from there and likely won’t be for at least his first season.
After back to back 1-4 performances from Semi Ojeleye at the end of November, he’s been shooting 41% from three, but also on limited attempts and playing time.
Ojeleye has always been fantasized about with the potential to become an elite 3-and-D player in the NBA. His physique and defensive prowess have stood out since day one, as he’s often been deployed to guard Giannis Antetokounmpo with varying results, but usually yielding encouraging signs.
The perimeter shot and offensive contributions is what’s been in question, and the primary reason he can’t get consistent floor time.
The looks of increased comfort shooting the three is encouraging for Ojeleye and the Celtics, but It’s hard to tell with such a small sample size.
Lastly, Carsen Edwards was drafted to decimate teams with his long-range marksmanship. So far he hasn’t been able to drop anything through the net, shooting a lowly 30.5% from behind the arc.
Most of Boston’s perimeter rotation outside of the four starters either can’t make shots consistently, or doesn’t shoot enough to make a huge impact.
It shouldn’t be surprising they aren’t taking as many catch and shoot threes as in recent years, but there are ways to add that back into the offense.
Boston should look to acquire a stretch big as opposed to a bruiser. The pickings are slim, and it’s hard to tell just who will be available with 14 teams still realistically competing for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, but more sellers should emerge as we get closer to the February trade deadline.
With three first round picks coming their way this summer and a roster already stuffed with guaranteed salary, the Celtics shouldn’t be hesitant to auction off one of these picks to persuade another team into a trade.
Here are a few name the Boston Celtics should take a look at should they decide to add some more shooting to the roster:
Davis Bertans – Washington Wizards
Bertans is having an out of body experience anytime he shoots from behind the three-point line. He’s just short of 44% on a colossal 8.6 attempts per game.
The only other player to sustain that level of shooting for an entire season is Stephen Curry. It was been reported by multiple outlets that Bertans is highly coveted by a multitude of contenders across the league, but Washington has indicated that they aren’t interested in doing business.
Is there validity to this claim? Perhaps. While the Wizards don’t appear to be making the playoffs this year, they still have one of the best shooting guards in the league locked up for the next couple seasons in Bradley Beal.
Former all-star point guard John Wall will continue being shelved the rest of this season as he recovers from a season ending injury he suffered last year.
If Washington does want to avoid a rebuild and be competitive, It would make sense to hold onto what they have till they’ve seen the roster at full strength; plus an additional off-season to make roster improvements.
Still, Bertans appears to be one of the most valuable players the Boston Celtics could realistically acquire at the deadline due to his low contract value of approximately $7 million annually. The upside of adding him to the roster is too good for Boston to pass up.
Jae Crowder – Memphis Grizzlies
This will now be the second consecutive season that Boston’s apparent ‘bluechip asset’ will end up being far lesser than anyone could have predicted.
As of now the Memphis Grizzlies are tied with the San Antonio Spurs for eighth in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies pick that was top six protected looks like it will convey to Boston this year, and not have nearly as much value like the Kings pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
There’s no guarantee they make the postseason, but their current position does complicate trying to trade for any of their players.
Giving up a player like Crowder when you’re rebuilding makes sense to accumulate more assets and acquire a ton of young talent. However, when you’re in the midst of a postseason run, having 3 & D specialists is kind of important.
Crowder has never been an elite three point marksman aside from a career year during his first Boston Celtics tenure, but his current 30% clip seems like something that should improve as we progress through the season.
His ability to play guard multiple positions would allow him to fit seamlessly in Boston’s switch heavy scheme. Making him a positive addition on both ends.
While it appears unlikely, Danny Ainge should keep tabs on Crowders’ availability to see if he can bring an old friend back to town.
No hard feelings right, Jae?
Nemanja Bjelica – Sacramento Kings
After having a career night that saw him post 34 points against Orlando on Monday, Bjelica’s value has never been higher. On the year he’s putting up 12 points per game, and just like Bertans is on near 44% shooting from behind the arc.
This may be the most realistic and desirable trade of the three. Sacramento is currently is the scrum of teams vying for the last playoff spot in the conference, but appear to be on the outside looking in at this point.
When the Kings were at their best last season they were playing fast through De’Aaron Fox whether after a make or miss. Bjelica was a perfect compliment to Fox’s devastating drive and kick game in the half court or trailing for threes on the break.
They’re currently three games behind Memphis and haven’t been dealt the best hand. Injuries, coaching changes, and bad luck have all gone against them so far.
All of these factors have compounded into an underwhelming season in what was supposed to be a leap year for an up and coming team.
A package of Ojeleye, and Vincent Poirior would make the numbers work on paper. Adding a first round pick to that could make for an enticing offer, or at least start a conversation.
If the Boston Celtics do decide to make a move, whatever it may be, it should only be something that makes them better around the edges and should not involve moving any major building blocks.