Based on recent rumors, the Boston Celtics may pursue a few players by way of trade this offseason. We’re here today to deem said players as worthy or not of the team’s pursuit.
With t-minus 21 days until the Boston Celtics resume their pursuit for glory, shamrocks fans are champing at the bit waiting to see their favorite team take to the hardwood once more.
Heading into the COVID-19 induced hiatus on March 11th, the Cs were in the midst of quite an impressive campaign. Registering in with a record of 43-21, the team saw themselves ranked third in the Eastern Conference, fifth in the NBA, and as a true contender to take home the Larry O’Brien trophy come the climax of the 2019-20 season.
With this in mind, its been a common theme of late to see Boston’s name intertwined with Disney bubble content, as they will be a part of the 22 teams that made the cut to continue on in this year’s campaign down in Orlando.
However, sometimes you’ll find that even the best of the media likes to sway away from the everyday news channels and take deep dives into hypothetical situations that could transpire post-bubble.
Recently, it came in the form of an article by Bleacher Report writer Zach Buckley discussing the top-3 offseason trade targets for every NBA team and, as for the Boston Celtics, they deemed Patty Mills, John Collins, and Joel Embiid as the team’s top candidates.
Today, we play a little game we like to call “pass or pursue” where we discuss whether or not the Cs should sit out on trade talks for one of these players, or if they should actively try to acquire them.
So, without further adieu, let’s get started:
Rumored Trade Target No. 1) Patty Mills
First up on our list, we have the sharpshooting, championship-pedigreed Patty Mills. Currently in his 11th season in the NBA — ninth with the San Antonio Spurs — the point guard finds himself in the midst of yet another sound season as a pro.
Through 63 outings, Mills has managed to accumulate solid averages of 11.7 points, 1.8 assists, and just under a steal per game on 43 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent shooting from deep. The long-range specialist has been a valuable offensive weapon for the Spurs coming off the pine seemingly since the moment he landed in San Antonio, and 2019-20 has proven to be no different.
In the B/R piece, Buckley went on to state his main reason as to why the Boston Celtics could pursue the 31-year-old during this upcoming offseason, stating:
"The C’s have a quiet need for more scoring and shooting behind their top guns. Mills, who might be available if the San Antonio Spurs take the rebuilding road, can slot in as a sniping specialist with a 38.9 percent career connection rate from range."
This analysis is quite accurate. The shamrocks’ second unit finds themselves ranked 29th in the league in points per game, 27th in 3-point percentage, and 22nd in offensive rating.
That said, even with this, would it really be that worth it to move assets to acquire a man who, though obviously he has proven to be a valuable commodity, could prove to be just as valuable as free agent MLE candidates such as a Jeff Teague or even one of the talents in this upcoming draft class?
The way we see it, signing a guy like Teague — something we’ve discussed in the past — to a contract around the $5-$7 million range or nabbing an offensive-minded draft prospect such as a Jahmi’us Ramsey or an Aaron Nesmith might be more desirable of a path than giving up assets — most likely including a draft pick — to bring on Mills and his $13 million contract for next season.
Verdict: Pass
Rumored Trade Target No. 2) John Collins
Ok, so the inclusion of John Collins on Bleacher Report’s list was a bit shocking to us. Not because we don’t believe he’d be a good fit — in fact, we think he’d be great on the Boston Celtics — but, frankly, because the Atlanta Hawks would be foolish to give up on the talented power forward this early on in his career.
On the season, the third-year big is putting up impressive averages of 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game on 58 percent shooting from the floor and 40 percent shooting from deep. Part of a promising young core in Atlanta consisting of All-Star point guard Trae Young, sharpshooting two guard Kevin Huerter, the raw but talented Cam Reddish, and Clint Capela, the Hawks appear to have the makings of a truly dominant team in a few years time.
However, according to whispers around the league, the franchise is a bit trepidatious about bestowing ample money to their young forward.
"The bouncy big man is extension-eligible this offseason, and the Hawks are hesitant to give him “significant money,” per The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner. If Boston doesn’t mind biting that bullet, it adds a rim-protector, floor-spacer and screen-setter on the same timeline as Tatum and Brown."
We’ve been saying it all season: the Boston Celtics need to add on to the talent pool in their frontcourt, specifically at center. Though Daniel Theis has impressed in his first season as a starter, it is apparent the 28-year-old has limited upside and, as things currently stand, there is no true long term option for the position on the roster.
John Collins could very well prove to be that fixture within the C’s rotation if acquired. Fitting the bill both in stature (6-9, 235-pounds) and play style (athletic stretch big who thrives on the boards and can defend the rim) of what Brad Stevens typically looks for in a center, the third-year talent could very likely thrive running in Boston’s scheme.
At 22-years-old, he would be a fantastic fit in terms of the team’s youth movement while also bolstering a rotation that they’ve been weak at seemingly all season.
Should they be able to land Collins without giving up Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown, the idea of adding on the talented big sounds very enticing for this already menacing Boston Celtics core.
Verdict: Pursue
Rumored Trade Target No. 3) Joel Embiid
Easily the biggest name found on the trade target list, Joel Embiid’s inclusion in these talks is similar to the reason why we find Collins there: both are seen as talent upgrades to a position that is deemed a weak spot within the Boston Celtics’ rotation.
Arguably the best center in the entire association, Embiid has proven himself to be an absolute beast on the hardwood since his first lick of NBA action during the 2016-17 season. Currently boasting stellar averages of 23.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game on 47 percent shooting from the floor and 35 percent shooting from downtown, the All-Star has managed to help guide his team to a record of 39-26, good enough for sixth in the Eastern Conference and, in turn, a spot within the upcoming Disney bubble.
With post moves reminiscent of Hakeem Olajuwon, an improving jump shot, and solid defensive abilities, having a guy like Embiid down low would easily make a majority of teams around the league more menacing, as it obviously does for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Buckley’s justification for Boston dealing for the seven-footer reads as follows:
"Boston’s big-man collection has exceeded expectations this season, but it remains the weak spot of an otherwise heavyweight contender. Daniel Theis is a good enough fit for the Shamrocks to pass over marginal upgrades, but if they can swing for the fences—if the Philadelphia 76ers dramatically shake things up, Embiid could be squeezed out—they might connect on the missing piece to their championship puzzle. It seems like a long shot that two division rivals would swap major parts, but if the C’s and Sixers can set their feelings aside, they might find the other is most capable of scratching their itch. Embiid would be a fascinating co-star with Jayson Tatum, and Brad Stevens could scheme ways to get the most out of his new big man. A swap might cost Jaylen Brown, but it could be Boston’s best chance to pair two top-10 players."
A sound argument, as it clearly would upgrade the talent at the pivot spot for the shamrocks — no disrespect to Theis — but, we at the Houdini are hesitant of an Embiid deal for two specific reasons: his wonky fit within Stevens’ offense and a reluctance to ship off Jaylen Brown.
Buckley discusses how Stevens can “scheme” around Embiid’s strengths, but why not just simply go after a player who can mesh into how the coach already prefers to run an offense (floor spacing, fast-break opportunities, etc)?
What Embiid excels at is rivaled by few others in the league; in some cases, it’s rivaled by no one. However, what he does best on offense — post-ups, backdowns and bully ball — is not particularly a great fit for how the Celtics like to operate.
Giving up a promising young wing like Brown in exchange for a not-so-perfect fit seems to be a bit too much of an asking price, no matter how good Joel Embiid is.
Call us crazy, but that’s just how we feel!