This past NBA trade deadline may have lacked the fireworks that many Boston Celtics fans believe were necessary in order to keep pace in what is becoming a shark tank of an Eastern Conference. Miami made all-in moves for Victor Oladipo and Nemanja Bjelica, and while the Cs did take on $17 million of Evan Fournier’s salary in a win-now move, the Daniel Theis for Luke Kornet/Moritz Wagner trade was by no means a sure thing of a deal.
The ongoing theme for the remainder of the season will one of pondering just how the Celtics are in a position to contend with the top dogs in the Eastern Conference. It’s all that matters. If this team isn’t prepared to go on another deep run, this roster can’t stay the same in the offseason.
When it comes to building a winner in the NBA, rapid-fire offseason moves have proven to be able to produce immediate winners. Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard are living proof that any franchise could make the right move and turn things around in a hurry.
Boston already has more talent than the Lakers and Raptors had before making that final deal for their missing pieces. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have already been within minutes of claiming an Eastern Conference crown, and that was without either of the franchise point guards the team has acquired since 2017 (Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving).
Perhaps the need for the final piece could be filled by Bradley Beal, who has been linked to the Cs as well as the Heat, Pelicans, and Knicks, by Kevin O’Connor:
"There’s still a real chance Beal stays in Washington for years to come, but as the Wizards rack up losses, teams like the Heat are waiting to pounce. In addition to Miami, multiple league sources say the Celtics, Knicks, and Pelicans are among the teams with interest in pursuing a deal for Beal."
You know the drill. With Beal sharing a St. Louis bond with Tatum, and the Houdini having long believed he could excel in Beantown, today HH once again attempts to come up with deals to bring Beal to the Boston Celtics: