Boston Celtics: 3 high-impact trades involving C’s starters

Trade involving Boston Celtics starter No. 1) Daniel Theis to New Orleans

This one is a low key trade that we believe helps both parties evenly. In it, we see the likes of Daniel Theis, Romeo Langford, Vincent Poirier, and the No. 26th overall pick heading to the Pelicans in exchange for veteran long-range marksman J.J. Redick.

Being that 2019-20 starter Derrick Favors is rumored to be interested in a reunion with the Utah Jazz, NOLA could find themselves looking for a replacement at the pivot. Sure, one might argue they could just scour the open market and sign one of this year’s big man free agents, but the right offer could push the Pel’s front office to make a trade.

In his first season as a starter, Theis proved to be one of the most underrated centers in the entire association. On the year, the 28-year-old posted impressive averages of 9.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game on 57 percent shooting from the floor and 33 percent shooting from deep.

He finished fourth on the team in box plus-minus rating amongst those who logged over 1,000 minutes played and finished second in the entire NBA behind only Rudy Gobert in real defensive plus-minus (4.45).

Slotting him in the frontcourt in place of Favors would help tighten up their defensive prowess and space the floor better on offense, unclogging the paint and bestowing rising star Zion Williamson free range to attack the rim where his game is best suited.

In turn, New Orleans also gets the likes of last year’s lottery selection Romeo Langford who, despite injury woes, showed glimpses of promise as a quality player in the league, Porier to help fill their center depth, and this year’s 26th overall pick.

In exchange, the shamrocks bring aboard J.J. Redick who would be a godsend off the pine for Boston’s offensively-inept second unit — ranked 29th in points per game (28.5), 28th in regard to 3-point percentage (31.8), dead-last in 3-pointers made (2.4) per game, and 20th in offensive rating (53.6).

Redick ranks in with the 17th highest 3-point percentage in league history (.416), 14th in 3-pointers made (1884), and is coming off a season in which he averaged 15.3 points on 45 percent shooting from the field and 45 percent shooting from deep.

We’ve discussed bringing the shooting guard to Beantown in the past. This trade is a way to finally get it done.