Boston Celtics: Ranking the top-5 superstar offseason trade destinations

5. Toronto Raptors

It only makes sense that the most recent (and longest-reigning) NBA Champion Toronto Raptors found themselves on this countdown. After losing their Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard to the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency, the Raps came within one game of the Eastern Conference finals, losing to the Boston Celtics in a wild Game 7.

While Fred VanVleet’s status is a question mark given his restricted free agency, and a trio of centers (Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Chris Boucher) are hitting the open market, Masai Ujiri has set this franchise up to be a long-term contender bases off of building blocks in Kyle Lowry and Paschall Siakam–guys that could also be trade chips to land a disgruntled star.

4. Los Angeles Lakers

Being that they are one game away from banner #17–a number that would, of course, tie Boston as the most in the history of the association–the Los Angeles Lakers may profile as an obvious team that superstars would want to flock to.

Of course, the caveat is that you would need to be willing to accept a clear third banana role behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Winning a championship with just that duo would make any third star feel like an obvious add-on, making the situation slightly less enticing.

3. Dallas Mavericks

All of the issues that joining a LeBron James-Anthony duo as a superstar would bring would not exist if said superstar was shipped to the Lone Star State instead. Being a superstar on a team with an elite dime-dropper like Luka Doncic has very obvious and undeniable perks that don’t include the headaches that being a LeBron teammate brings.

Not only that but with the team yet to win a playoff series, any incoming star that can help lead the team to any postseason success would immediately have more credibility than someone who joined a contender in Tinseltown.