The Boston Celtics are certainly seen by the masses as being one of the best teams in the league during the first quarter of this 2020-21 campaign.
That said, even they could use for some fine-tuning.
After pulling out of the James Harden sweepstakes, the superstar guard ultimately landed on the roster of Atlantic Division rival, the Brooklyn Nets. With this, the team has shot up even further on the list of title-odds, while the Cs have simply remained stationary.
It is the belief of my co-expert Andrew Hughes that Boston should look into making some moves of their own to try and combat the firepower now found in Brooklyn, and has come forth with a few ideas as to what they could do.
There are a few teams that could be optimal trade partners for the Boston Celtics
Personally, I stand by my co in regard to this sentiment and believe there are several teams that could qualify as ideal trade partners with the shamrocks.
Here are 3 specific franchises that the Boston Celtics could consider making deals with:
Boston Celtics trade partner No. 1) Houston Rockets
Though the main trade chip on the Houston Rockets was obviously James Harden, the team still has a few quality assets that could find themselves attainable at some point.
From guys like Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker — someone we discuss often as a potential target utilizing the C’s TPE — to even recently acquired All-Star guard Victor Oladipo, Space City has an underrated amount of players that could be seen as both realistically available in the future as well as ideal fits within the rotation for the Boston Celtics.
Caught in between the ideas of contending for a postseason berth and a straight-up rebuild, Boston could provide the team with return packages to aid in either direction they ultimately decide to go in.
Boston Celtics trade partner No. 2) Cleveland Cavaliers
Two of the biggest sore spots within the rotation for the Boston Celtics reside at both the power forward and center position.
We’ve been saying for quite some time now that, should the team want to better position themselves for a run at glory this season, they’ll want to bolster both of these areas either through the buyout market or via trade.
Should they go with the latter, an optimal team Danny Ainge should look to as a suitable trade partner is the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Should they want a power forward, Larry Nance Jr. would be a nice grab for the franchise.
Currently having a career season, averaging 10.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.5 steals a game on 50 percent shooting from the field and 44 percent shooting from deep while performing at an All-Defensive rate, the 28-year-old would be a fantastic two-way, floor-spacing player to slot in at the four either as a starter or coming off the bench.
Should they want a center, they could finally hop on the Andre Drummond train and acquire the remaining year of his contract.
Despite having a monster start to 2020-21, averaging 18.8 points, 15.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game and leading Cleveland to a sixth-seeded 7-7 record, it seems as though the franchise is still making it evident they wish to part ways with the big, as they signed JaVale McGee this past offseason and, perhaps an even clearer sign they are willing to part ways with him, traded for Jarrett Allen just last week.
Both Nance and Drummond would be great additions to the C’s rotation this year, making the Cavs a fitting trade partner for this championship-aspiring squad.
Boston Celtics trade partner No. 3) Orlando Magic
Where do we begin as to why we believe the Orlando Magic could be an optimal trade partner for the Boston Celtics in 2021?
Though they are coming off of two straight postseason runs and, as things currently stand, are right in the mix for yet another appearance this year, with their bevy of injuries on the roster, they could just as easily call it quits and become sellers with a focus on the future.
If this were to happen, guys like Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon would be players highly sought after by contending teams, and the Cs should certainly be one of them if Orlando punts on the season.
However, there are many other players found on the roster that could be viable targets for Boston and, because of this, Bleacher Report also believes the Magic are an ideal trade partner for the franchise:
"The Celtics are struggling to tread water at the center spot—roasted to the tune of a minus-17.3 net rating when Tristan Thompson and Daniel Theis share the floor—but a splash move for Vooch could move them into the position’s top tier. If that sounds at all hyperbolic, you can blame Orlando’s supporting cast for failing to do more with his absurd production. He’s clearing 22 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two triples per night. The list of other players hitting those marks is…nonexistent. Oh, and he could still be available, since the Magic are overdue for a reset and have spent a pair of top-10 picks on his potential replacements in Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba. Should Vucevic prove too rich for Boston’s blood, the Celtics could grab Aaron Gordon and trust their coaching staff to squeeze more out of the explosive athlete. Or they could simultaneously scratch itches for bench production and perimeter shooting with Terrence Ross or Evan Fournier."
The Boston Celtics could use for frontcourt bolstering, some floor spacers, and bench scorers.
The Orlando Magic could certainly help in all three areas.