The Boston Celtics can offer the Sacramento Kings a mulligan on selecting Marvin Bagley over Luka Doncic and Trae Young with a godfather offer. Should they?
Boston Celtics exceptionalism in the year 2021 (and really since the Brooklyn Nets deal in 2013) includes taking a look at any disgruntled star and imagine him in green and white without being called a dreamer.
Anthony Davis hit the market and was considered the savior for Beantown’s chances of keeping Kyrie Irving (dodged a bullet there, right Brooklyn?), and Kawhi Leonard was an option before the Toronto (now sad Tampa Bay) Raptors swooped in and won a championship.
Now, the team is linked to James Harden. Whether they pull the trigger or not, it is evident Danny Ainge wants to improve this team. Despite molding a core that any franchise should be envious of, Ainge continues to be lazy in filling out the fringes of the roster.
How long does Semi Ojeleye have to be the first wing off the bench? No offense to the Ox, a Houdini favorite for his imposing physique and physical play, but it has not worked out for three consecutive seasons.
Anyway, despite Harden being in the news, it is possible the Cs actually consider a different disgruntled lefty, with Marvin Bagley’s father claiming on Twitter his son wants out of Sacramento and the team possibly needing an upgrade at the power forward spot. As the Sacramento Bee pointed out Bagley’s silence doesn’t mean things are all fine and dandy with the Kings:
"Kings fans shouldn’t be surprised at how Bagley handled himself Sunday when he sat down to face the media and said nothing about a trade demand issued by his father Saturday night. His dad tweeted the team should trade him Saturday and Bagley III faced the media Sunday.He had a chance to say something. He was asked if he wanted to dispel rumors about him wanting a trade. He didn’t answer the question.“Like I said, tomorrow’s gonna be a big game for us. Excited about that. Excited to get on the court and play tomorrow,” Bagley said."
The Kings have slipped since starting 3-1, dropping their last three contests. The Houdini expects that to continue because Sacramento is going to Sacramento.
Dysfunction + early season drama usually equates to a midseason trade. Whether or not a deal happens will ultimately come down to whether or not the Boston Celtics want to give up the amount of first-round draft picks (plus a young talent or two) it would take to land Bagley?
History says no, but 2021 is a new year. Time will tell.