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Boston Celtics: 2 potential trade targets Cs must avoid this offseason

By Mark Nilon

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 31: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards reacts after a play against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 31, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 31: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards reacts after a play against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 31, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics target to avoid No. 1) Jonas Valanciunas

Listed by Bleacher Report as being the best trade the team ‘could actually make this offseason’, the idea of Jonas Valanciunas manning the middle for the Boston Celtics is actually quite an intriguing thought to ponder on.

Coming off of arguably his best season as a pro, through 62 outings played the 29-year-old big man posted impressive averages of 17.1 points, 12.5 assists, and just shy of a block per game on 59 percent shooting from the floor and just about 37 percent shooting from deep.

Proving to be one of the best rebounders and rim-protectors in the game today, Valanciunas’ skill set is actually something that could be of great service to Boston, and at 7-0 his size is something that has been missing from the team’s starting frontcourt for quite some time now.

So, with all this in mind, why might we suggest that trade for him may be a bad idea?

Well, frankly, it comes down to two major factors — the price it would take to get him and his contract situation.

As we said already, the man is coming off of perhaps his best season as an NBA player, which leads us to believe that the Memphis Grizzlies, who just made it to their first postseason appearance in four years with him as their starting five, will want a significant package in return for Valanciunas.

In the aforementioned B/R piece discussing the Lithuanian-born baller being a trade target for the Celtics, writer Greg Swartz proposed a deal centered around a first-round draft pick and Aaron Nesmith being sent to Memphis.

With the fact that Boston has already given up their 2021 draft rights in the Kemba deal, they shouldn’t be looking to part with anymore unless it’s for an established star and, in our honest opinion, giving up on Nesmith after just one season doesn’t seem like the right thing for the front office to do, especially with the promise he showed towards the end of the season — 9.7 points on 45 percent shooting from deep in final 10 games.

Add in the fact that the center is only under contract through next season, and the Boston Celtics ultimately could end up parting with relatively valuable assets all for a potential one-year rental.

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