When it comes to summer shakeups and transactions, the Boston Celtics have proven to be one of the most active teams in the entire association.
From the resignation of Danny Ainge as President of Basketball Operations to the recent trade that landed Josh Richardson from the Dallas Mavericks, the Cs have been unbelievably busy and, what makes this all the more interesting is that we’re still in the early stages of the NBA offseason.
With the draft having just passed and free agency right around the corner, there’s plenty of time between now and the tip-off to the 2021-22 campaign for Brad Stevens and co. to continue making high-impact moves.
While we here at HH have our own opinions on who the team should be looking to pursue between now and October, many of which are high-risk, high-reward talents, there are some who are under the impression that the front office could wind up landing some of this year’s top-billed available players.
Despite their lacking salary space, there are a few ways in which the Boston Celtics could end up snagging a big name this offseason, with the most obvious route being a sign-and-trade.
There are several players the Houdini believes to be worthy of such a transaction and, recently, the folks at Bleacher Report went about and concocted such a deal to land one of said players in veteran point guard, Kyle Lowry.
The proposed trade reads as follows:
Citing Boston’s desperate need for a new starting point guard after shipping away Kemba Walker to Oklahoma City back in June, writer, Greg Swartz, believes that the free agent would be a fantastic addition to the team’s talented core:
"The 35-year-old is still playing at a high level after averaging 17.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.0 steals and shooting 39.6 percent from three last season. He brings the championship experience that this still mostly young Celtics team needs and would help push them back toward the top of the East following a disappointing 2020-21 season.A starting five of Lowry, Jaylen Brown, Evan Fournier (if he re-signs), Jayson Tatum and Al Horford would be one of the best in the conference, and the bench wouldn’t be completely gutted, either."
Now, as is the case for any deal involving Marcus Smart heading outbound, emotions might run high with this proposed trade for a bevy of Boston Celtics fans.
That said, with the fact that he’s entering his final year under contract coupled with the idea that the franchise may not wish to re-up with him next offseason anyway — which, depending on his price tag, could be a real possibility –, perhaps looking to swap him for assets in the now might be a logical move to consider rather than risk losing him for nothing during next year’s free agency period.
Lowry would be an unbelievable addition to this Celtics core both due to his production & championship experience and would compliment both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown beautifully.
Should Stevens be able to snag the savvy vet for a trade similar to the one Swartz has thought up, he should absolutely jump at the opportunity.