Boston Celtics: 3 trade packages for traditional power forwards

Yesterday, the Houdini threw out a few traditional power forwards the Boston Celtics should pursue before the offseason concludes. Today, we create trade packages to nab them.

The NBA Championship was just won by a franchise–yes, the Los Angeles Lakers, gross–that featured a traditional lineup structure of a more physical and less wing-y power forward and a center. Like the olden days of the pre-Erik Spoelstra Heat championship teams. Perhaps the Boston Celtics should take note.

To be fair, there have been several teams throughout the years that have stayed true to that lineup makeup. Utah deployed Derrick Favors next to Rudy Gobert, while the Memphis Grizzlies were gritting and grinding with Marc Gasol and Zac Randolph until the latter signed a very strange deal with the Sacramento Kings to essentially finish out his NBA career.

The league-wide move may be shifting back to having a true 4, and for the Cs, that would be a good way to alleviate the defensive burden from Jayson Tatum to focus his energy more on the offensive end, of which he serves as the foundation.

Here are 3 trade packages to nab a traditional power forward:

Why the Boston Celtics do it

P.J. Tucker just served as the trusty 3-and-D role player to both the James Harden-Chris Paul and Harden-Russell Westbrook duos. He’d most certainly have an easy time transitioning to the same role beside the Jaylen Brown-Jayson Tatum duo instead, and eventually the trio of Brown, Tatum, and Kemba Walker.

Tucker could start in the interim until Walker returns, creating a defensively stout tandem with Marcus Smart. Opposing stars should already feel bruises forming at the thought of those two switching onto them for 36+ minutes.

Why the Houston Rockets do it

The Rockets went all-in on small-ball last season, and now feature Christian Wood and the oft-injured DeMarcus Cousins as their lone options at the center spot. To acquire a starting-caliber center and a backup combo guard along with a draft pick should get the job done.