Boston Celtics: 3 trades for Carsen Edwards-Semi Ojeleye package

The Boston Celtics did not win their preseason opener, but more importantly, it doesn’t look like Semi Ojeleye and Carsen Edwards have improved enough to crack the rotation with the incoming rookies.

This past offseason, besides Gordon Hayward, Semi Ojeleye and Carsen Edwards were the two members of the Boston Celtics that I advocated the team to trade. On Tuesday night during the team’s preseason opener, the duo, unfortunately, proved me right.

Both Edwards and Ojeleye are quality guys in the locker-room, but at this stage, the Cs can’t afford to keep guys around for moral support. The team brought in two rookies in Payton Pritchard and Aaron Nesmith who figure to contribute off the bat this season, and have several intriguing G-League players it can consider signing since there won’t be a season for the Maine Red Claws (as of right now at least).

The Houdini has put together the following deals to ship the duo out of Beantown to acquire a player better suited to help contribute to a potential Eastern Conference champion in 2021:

Why the Boston Celtics do it

Mike Muscala is a prototypical power forward and can space the floor as a small-ball five as well. Luguentz Dort is the stoutest defender on the Thunder, and can provide a defensive specialist in lockdown lineups alongside Marcus Smart.

Two second-round picks is an easy price to pay for the duo.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder do it

I doubt OKC is willing to part with Dort, especially if a team is willing to dangle several draft picks to nab him. As vital as a role he played for the team down the stretch last season, Oklahoma City proved that no one is expendable this offseason.

Their rebuild continues with two more draft assets.