Boston Celtics: Pros and cons of making a trade in 2020-21

To trade or not to trade is the question the Boston Celtics are facing right now amidst a season that seems destined to end with a different Atlantic Division rival representing the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.

The Philadelphia 76ers are off to a 13-6 start–good for the fourth-best record in the league–and finally seem to have surrounded the Joel Embiid-Ben Simmons duo with enough shooting to unclutter the offense in crunch time. Tobias Harris elevating his 3-point shooting to 46% has provided the offense with an efficient third star averaging over 20 points per game.

Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, the Nets are officially in the midst of #ScaryHours, with Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant on a three-game winning streak since dropping their first two games to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

That the team is clicking on all cylinders, even before making a follow-up move to replenish the roster after the depth-draining Harden trade. With the three stars in tow and the right role players around them, there is a new team in pole position with things finally starting to gel in Brooklyn.

Both teams have been occupying the win column as of late, unlike the Boston Celtics, who are 2-4 since Kemba Walker returned to the lineup. Of course, we don’t blame the point guard–who is currently on a minutes restriction–on the C’s hardwood woes.

That said, his 42/33/83 shooting splits are subpar and the team has yet to figure out the best combinations on the floor.

To trade or not to trade, then?

Let’s answer that question…