Boston Celtics: 3 trades for Rockets NOT named James Harden

The Boston Celtics could make a deal for a member of the Rockets NOT named James Harden with the superstar demanding out of Houston.

The Houdini has been all over the James Harden news because, at this point in the offseason, the Boston Celtics make a lot of sense in trade talks given the fact that Kemba Walker is about to miss the first portion of the season.

They’ve made a lot of sense in trade talks basically since the moment a $28.5 million trade exception was created with the Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade that landed the former max contract Celtic in the Queen City with the Charlotte Hornets.

Even before then, their bench has needed an upgrade given their status as the lowest-scoring second unit alongside the Portland Trailblazers with 26.5 points per game.

With the Harden news serving as the impetus, the Houdini has put together 3 trade packages for members of the Rockets not named James Harden:

Why the Boston Celtics do it

The dearth of shooting on the Celtics bench can be addressed by the 40 percent 3-point sniper Ben McLemore. The 2013 lottery pick never panned out with the Sacramento Kings but he has come along nicely in Houston, shooting a sky-high percentage on over six attempts per game from downtown.

McLemore is somewhat of an offensive specialist, lacking any facilitation skills or a knack for getting to the rim. That said, the Cs can use his shooting for their underwhelming second unit.

Why the Houston Rockets do it

Semi Ojeleye is a step down from McLemore offensively, but he can body up defenders 1-5. If the Rockets were still deploying small-ball, he would be a perfect center in the downsized lineup.

As it stands, he’s not far enough of a step down not to take on the draft pick that comes attached.