We have reached a crucial day for the Boston Celtics’ 2020-21 season. In fact, given the team’s recent stretch, it may be the most crucial.
It’s 2021 NBA trade deadline day.
Like most other things, the deadline has been affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Most years, this day takes place in February. In 2020-21, due to the season starting in December–after the 2019-20 season concluded in October–it had to be pushed back.
Which is a good thing. Cs fans at least have the improving weather to tie their happiness to since the Celtics have been a blatant disappointment all season.
The problems on this year’s squad stem from offensive issues, as the talent just isn’t fitting well right now. Daniel Theis and Tristan Thompson do not form a formidable frontcourt, injuries to Marcus Smart and Kemba Walker have robbed the team time to adjust to the new Eastern Conference landscape, and the bench is lacking the stabilizing presences of veterans like Brad Wanamaker and even Enes Kanter, who provided easy buckets in a pinch.
Changes need to be made, and they need to happen ASAP. After 3 pm eastern today, such opportunities to do so will dramatically shrink.
If Danny Ainge is going to be active in the trade market, here are 5 last-second targets he should pursue:
Boston Celtics last-second target #1: D.J. Augustin
The Houston Rockets were able to mine a draft pick, D.J. Wilson, and D.J. Augustin out of P.J. Tucker’s expiring contract. While Wilson figures to get some reps in the rotation, Augustin is somewhat of an odd man out.
Houston is a team looking to rebuild, and Augustin has no place in a rebuild at 33-years-old, so the Cs should do what they can to try and snag his deal from the Rockets in order to make Jeff Teague expendable.