Boston Celtics: 2 early-season trade targets Cs should pursue

The Boston Celtics open up their season tonight, but the Houdini would feel less shakey about their roster if they acquired the following trade targets.

Through two preseason games, the Boston Celtics look no better than their 2019-20 squad that earned a #3 seed and came within two games of the NBA Finals. In fact, the Houdini is anxious about the early season returns from Brad Stevens’ squad.

The new-and-improved Philadelphia 76ers decimated the Cs in their first preseason contest, with Joel Embiid physically dominating Robert Williams to the tune of 18 points in 17 minutes. While the 76ers didn’t shoot the ball well, they showed that they don’t even need a hot shooting day to take down the Celtics.

That’s troublesome.

Boston brought on two veterans in Tristan Thompson and Jeff Teague that have slowed down considerably over the last several seasons. In theory, their presence should benefit the team’s young core, but if Stevens has to rely on them too much, other second units should be able to outpace the aging bench mob.

Of course, rookies Payton Pritchard and Aaron Nesmith figure to have significant roles this year, assuming Tremont Waters, Carsen Edwards and Romeo Langford continue to be stall in their development. That Danny Ainge arguably missed on three picks last year doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, though Pritchard and Nesmith are considerably better shooters than the aforementioned bunch…although Edwards gave us all this same feeling last year.

Quite honestly, I’m nervous for the Boston Celtics ahead of the 2020-21 season, but I’d be less so if they were able to acquire these two trade targets: