There is a high chance that the Boston Celtics choose to restructure their team a bit this offseason. To what extent, however, remains unknown.
Owner Wyc Grousbeck recently stated that it would be a busy offseason for the C’s. While this doesn’t necessarily confirm that trades will get done, it does make the idea more likely.
Brad Stevens already kicked off his tenure by trading Kemba Walker to the Thunder. He then followed it up by getting ahead on the head coaching search by hiring Ime Udoka.
He’s already gotten off to a hot start as the new President of Basketball Operations. More trades could be imminent at this point.
Many have speculated that Marcus Smart could be on the trade block. However, according to Ime Udoka, Smart is a foundational piece on the team. If this thought proves to be true, it’s unlikely that Smart is going anywhere.
Unfortunately, he’s the only real asset the Boston Celtics have under contract that could get real value in return. Both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have value, but with how important they are to the team, the likelihood that they get traded is very low.
Outside of Tristan Thompson, the rest of the players on the roster are on fairly small contracts. This restricts what level of player the Boston Celtics can trade for.
Due to the lack of expensive contracts, the majority of players they could trade for would probably be role players. This could work out for the best, though, as Stevens tries to put the best team possible around Tatum and Brown.
So, who are some of the best role players around the league that the Boston Celtics could trade for?
The Boston Celtics traded away their star point guard in Kemba Walker, so they could be in the market for a replacement. Ricky Rubio is nowhere near the player of Walker, but he would provide a very necessary skillset.
Rubio has been one of the best playmakers in the NBA since he entered the league. In addition, he has even improved his shooting numbers in recent years.
He averages 7.6 assists per game for his career and put up 6.4 per game last year. As for his shooting, he had a down year last year (30.8% 3PT) but shot 36.1% from deep during the 2019-20 season.
Hir primary role in Boston would be that of a playmaker. This specific skillset is the exact reason why the C’s would benefit from trading for Rubio.
The Celtics haven’t had a true playmaker on the roster since Rajon Rondo. Their last three starters have all been score-first point guards.
While this isn’t necessarily an issue, an infusion of playmaking could be exactly what the Boston Celtics need for the roster.
The Timberwolves would be adding a backup center in Tristan Thompson who has championship experience. In addition, they get two young pieces to take a chance on.
It may feel like the Celtics give up a lot in this deal, but it actually benefits them to do so. They clear up the log jam at center while also clearing up roster spots to sign veterans.
The Boston Celtics already brought back Al Horford this offseason, why not add another familiar face to the roster. Avery Bradley might not be the player he once was, but he could certainly help.
He has a team option for the upcoming season, which the Rockets would have to accept in order to get this deal done. However, this trade would definitely help out both sides.
Bradley played 10 games for the Heat last year and 17 with the Rockets. In those 17 games, he averaged 6.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 37.4% from the field and 32.7% from deep.
As previously mentioned, Bradley is nowhere near the player he once was. At his peak, he was a two-time All-Defensive team player but would play a very different role if he returned to Boston.
If he were to rejoin the Celtics, Bradley would likely take on more of a leadership role. He could play spot minutes at either guard position but would be more of a vocal leader.
He is 30-years-old and about to enter his 11th NBA season. With how young the Celtics’ main stars are, he would be able to provide strong leadership and great advice.
For the Rockets, they add two second-round picks to help with their rebuild. Bradley does not match Houston’s timeline, so getting any sort of value back in return would be a plus for them.
This trade only works if the Trailblazers decide to drastically change things up this offseason. Robert Covington would potentially be on the move, and the Boston Celtics should definitely try to make a deal.
Covington provides a steady mixture of defense and shooting. These are two things the Celtics will always need more of on the roster.
He’s been one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA for the past two years. Covington can guard almost any position on the court and has proved it when he played center for the Rockets two years ago.
The Boston Celtics had one of their worst defensive seasons in a while last year.
Trading for Covington would definitely help them improve in that regard being that he is also a solid three-point shooter. He shot 37.9% from deep last year and would help space the floor for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
He would join a wing lineup of Evan Fournier, Aaron Nesmith, Tatum, and Brown. This could be one of the deepest wing rotations in the entire league.
If the Trailblazers do decide to shake up the roster, this would give them a young piece to take a chance on. Tristan Thompson is simply a salary-filler in this trade.
Both sides take a step in the direction they want to. The Trailblazers get younger, while the Celtics get a bit older and more well-rounded.