Boston Celtics: 3 additions from 2020 offseason that could be traded

Boston Celtics 2020 addition that could be traded #2: Tristan Thompson

If the Cs are able to land multiple difference-makers while absorbing just one contract with their $28.5 million traded player exception (in the case Boston made a play for an Andre Drummond or Buddy Hield type), Tristan Thompson and his $9.5 million cap figure would need to be included in any deal.

So far, the results haven’t been great for the Canadian center in a Celtics uniform. Part of that, as Favale mentioned, could be due to his ill-fit alongside Daniel Theis. The other part of the problem could be the lack of a true distributor in the lineup.

Thompson did his best work alongside LeBron James–who Hardwood Houdini is not too proud enough to admit is this generation’s Magic Johnson–but has struggled in the lineup even with the return of starting point guard Kemba Walker.

Brad Stevens’ offense has never been designed to get the most out of a traditional big man, and Thompson’s motor has slowed in the last decade since he was selected #4 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft.

At this point, Thompson isn’t contributing enough to be free of a stay on the trade block. If Ainge can find a deal that would make the team better and cost them picks, he would likely pull the trigger on a deal with Robert Williams waiting in the wings.