Boston Celtics: 3 realistic players to trade for using each first-round pick

Player the Boston Celtics could trade for with No. 14 pick: Brandon Clarke

Should the Boston Celtics just opt to trade away their No. 14 pick and some salary-matches this offseason, there realistically would be no better trade target than Memphis Grizzlies big man Brandon Clarke.

Though only finishing up his rookie season in the league, Clarke can technically be considered a “veteran” and, thus, warrants a spot on this list.

The idea of the Cs pursuing the 24-year-old is nothing new to us here at Hardwood Houdini, as just a few months ago my own co-editor thought up a trade package involving Romeo Langford and the No. 14 pick (originally belonging to Memphis) heading to the Grizzlies in exchange for the talented big.

During his first year in the league, Clarke posted solid averages of 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and just shy of a block per game on 62 percent shooting from the floor and 36 percent shooting from deep.

The 6-8 talent proved to be a great pickup for the Grizzlies during the last draft but, in the grand scheme of things, he will likely not amount to much more than a fantastic backup big while the likes of Jaren Jackson Jr. is in town.

Should they wish to better fill out the roster in areas of need, potentially bringing on the likes of a young former lottery wing in Romeo Langford and the 14th overall pick in this year’s draft might be a smart move for Memphis.

In turn, the Celtics would bring aboard an insanely talented young big man who spaces the floor well, plays solid defense both inside and out of that paint, and who could serve as the building block at the pivot that this team needs moving forward.