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

Boston Celtics target to avoid No. 2) Bradley Beal

Ok, so seeing Bradley Beal on a list discussing potential trade targets the Boston Celtics should try to avoid may be a bit confusing at first glance, but hear us out for a second.

Of course we believe that both star power and scoring prowess is important in this league and, by all means, Beal is one of the top scoring All-Stars the game has today — finished second in the league in points per game last season with 31.3.

Yes, bringing the guard to Beantown would give the team yet another All-NBA caliber player to partner with Jayson Tatum, thus forming one of the most lethal offensive punches in the NBA.

However, if they were to look into trading for him this offseason, what would the cost wind up being?

Without question, talks for the 28-year-old would almost certainly involve the likes of Jaylen Brown and several future firsts being sent down to Washington D.C.

Now, to some this seems reasonable and should be considered.

That said, we at the Houdini are more under the impression that unless someone like Damian Lillard is involved, Brown is a player worth holding onto, especially considering that the franchise could wind up being in the running to sign Beal outright come the summer of 2022.

In the trade that sent Kemba Walker to OKC, the Boston Celtics managed to line themselves up for the opportunity to have over $20 million in cap room come next offseason which, in theory, could wind up turning into around $34 million should they play their cards right with extensions, free agent signings, and non-guaranteed contracts.

With all this money potentially at their disposal, Brad Stevens could opt to try his luck on the 2022 free agency market, where Beal could wind up being available should he turn down his player option for 2022-23 (based on the current trends in the NBA, such a hypothetical is quite realistic).

Salary space coupled with his apparent eagerness to join a winning franchise and his strong relationship with Tatum that dates back to their time as youths in St. Louis all could have a huge impact on where the 3x All-Star opts to sign his next contract.

With all this in mind, wouldn’t you rather the Boston Celtics try to pursue Bradley Beal next summer to have him team up with the likes of Tatum AND Brown rather than acquire him by means of trading the latter Jay this offseason?

I know I would!