Boston Celtics: 4 defense-first targets for Danny Ainge to pursue

Myles Turner

Myles Turner has become one of the league’s premiere defending big men in 2020-21 for the Indiana Pacers, averaging just under five blocks per game when no one else is averaging over three.

He could have easily been wearing green and white, but Danny Ainge may have been down on the idea to pursue him in a sign-and-trade for Gordon Hayward.

Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes was down on that decision right before the season started (and he has only been proven right since):

"Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, reportedly available in a sign-and-trade agreement for Hayward, would have been an ideal fit on Boston’s front line. His mobility, stretch and rim protection would have opened up the Celtics offense to degrees heretofore unseen while also adding an element of interior defense Daniel Theis, bless him, can’t match. Yes, that TPE gives the Celtics options. And if saving cash is a priority, they don’t have to use it at all. But unless thriftiness was the sole motivation, it’s hard to understand how Boston that Indy sign-and-trade was a worse return than a trade exception that might prove useful if the right circumstances arise at some point this season."

It’s clear that mistake could have already had negative effects on the team in 2020-21, but perhaps Ainge can right the ship before it’s too late.

Aron Baynes

Perhaps regretting the choice of Tristan Thompson over the Aussie center, Danny Ainge could have a shot at redemption before the end of the 2020-21 season.

He can try to flip Thompson for Baynes and hope the Toronto Raptors could vault back into the playoff picture, or he can wait and see if the Raptors collapse under the weight of not playing in their true home in the North and try and snag Baynes off the buyout market.

Either way, a reunion could possibly be a great thing for both the Boston Celtics and Baynes, who is shooting below 40% for the first time in his career.