Boston Celtics: Pros and cons of trading for Eric Bledsoe

Earlier this week, Brett Siegel of NBA Analysis Network hinted towards a potential deal between the Boston Celtics and the New Orleans Pelicans involving Stevens Adams and Eric Bledsoe.

Seeing as the Cs currently roster five centers, we can rule out the possibility of Brad Stevens trading for Adams.

On the other hand, however, Eric Bledsoe may be more plausible due to the team’s current hole in their point guard room. Having Bledsoe fill up the hole that Kemba Walker left is an intriguing concept, but one that requires more thought and context before making an ultimate decision.

This article will dive into the pros and cons of trading for the former All-Defensive team point guard and explaining what I think the tendencies of the new-look front office for the Boston Celtics will be this offseason.

We have to remember: the Celtics are looking towards 2022 when the free-agent market will be full of stars to pair with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

The Boston Celtics will undoubtedly look to remain a contender this coming season, but by the looks of it, it is doubtful Stevens makes any big-time swings for big-time stars in free agency this summer.

With that said, let’s start with the pros of trading for Eric Bledsoe:

Pros of the Boston Celtics trading for Eric Bledsoe

Although Eric Bledsoe’s defensive ability has since fallen off in the one season he has played with the New Orleans Pelicans, I think it was more a matter of coaching and environment than a natural fall-off in talent.

After all, the difference between coach Bud’s defensive scheme and coach Van Gundy’s defensive scheme is quite stark.

Additionally, Bledsoe went from playing on a contender that was on pace to win 70 games to playing for a team struggling and ultimately failing to make the play-in.

If the Boston Celtics were to acquire Bledsoe, they would be giving him a fresh start.

He would be back on a contender with a more consistent coaching staff and supporting cast, so his effort levels would hopefully rise.

A Bledsoe/Smart backcourt is extremely formidable defensively and compliments Horford and Robert Williams greatly.

Since both are great POA defenders and screen navigators, the Celtics can deploy drop coverage more effectively instead of switching Williams or Horford out onto the perimeter.

Boston would be less prone to mismatch hunting and would double their defensive efficiency by increasing their rim protection all because of Eric Bledsoe’s arrival.

Cons of the Boston Celtics trading for Eric Bledsoe

Through multiple Brad Stevens pressers, we can conclude that he is looking to remain financially organized so the Celtics can take a swing at one of the NBA’s top 25 players becoming free agents in the summer of 2022.

That is why he off-loaded Kemba Walker’s contract for Al Horford‘s, who will only be guaranteed $14.5 million next season compared to Walker, who was lined up to make $37 million with the Boston Celtics in 2022-23.

Eric Bledsoe is set to make $18 million next season and $19 million the following despite not being worth either value.

First off, the Celtics would have to jump through hoops just to match his contract. Brad Stevens would likely have to part with Marcus Smart and Tristan Thompson just to come close to Bledsoe’s price tag.

Secondly, Bledsoe would clog up the C’s cap space for 2022 and, therefore, thwart any of their plans to sign big-name free agents.

There’s also a matter of fit.

Contracts aside, Bledsoe is a horrible offensive fit for Boston. He is a non-shooter, average ball-handler, and horrible scorer.

His big frame and small size allow him to slip through screens and play tougher than his height indicates on the defensive end, but Bledsoe can’t create any separation or finish amongst the trees in the playoffs.

That’s why in his last three years with the Bucks, he was not able to top 14 points per game on above league average shooting in any of his playoff runs. Putting him at the helm would be a disaster.

The Celtics should avoid Bledsoe at all costs and direct their attention to signing cheaper backups with the MLE or trading for an upgrade over Marcus Smart, which Bledsoe is certainly not.