Boston Celtics: This Josh Richardson-Juan Hernangomez trade returns defensive, pass-first PG

The Boston Celtics are in a familiar territory that’s been familiar since the start of last season, as they’re currently saddled with a losing record as the 2021-22 season gets underway.

It’s early, and the Cs have not had a chance to get acclimated to each other fully yet with COVID-19 and injuries continuing their 2020-21 ways, but Boston fans are an impatient bunch to losing…and this team has been doing it in concerning ways so far this season.

Breaking up the ‘Jays’ is not the route the Cs front office is likely to take. President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has experienced first-hand what Boston’s two All-Stars are capable of doing together, coming within two games in 2020 and one game in 2018 of the NBA Finals. And that was before Jaylen Brown became a borderline #1 option himself.

What Stevens would absolutely pursue is a deal involving players he never coached personally himself.

The Houdini has most certainly tossed out such an idea before involving two of the C’s biggest and most movable deals: Josh Richardson and Juan Hernangomez.

And–despite Richardson having himself a productive 18-point performance on solid efficiency (7/15 from the field) in a 2OT loss to the Washington Wizards on Saturday–we’re doing it again.

Richardson received an extension in the offseason for 2022-23, and makes an upward of $10 million but less than $20 million, making him pliable in a deal. Hernangomez is on an expiring $7 million salary, making him someone few teams would refuse to take on to make the numbers worse.

So, after acquiring Goran Dragic in a mock deal, HH is aiming to do the same with an alternative point guard option:

Why the Boston Celtics do it

NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg laid out what kind of player he believes would be the best option alongside the ‘Jays’:

"It would help to find a player with a combination of both. Maybe a pass-first point guard whose relentless motor doesn’t allow teammates to take possessions off, or a floor-stretching 4 that ensures a championship-or-bust mentality based on previous failures."

The former option most certainly sounds like Cleveland Cavaliers PG Ricky Rubio, doesn’t it?

Rubio is currently making the super-big Cavs lineup–which includes a starting frontcourt of Lauri Markkanen at small forward, Evan Mobley at the power forward spot, and Jarrett Allen in the middle–click at the level it currently is. Cleveland knocked off three likely playoff teams (Atlanta Hawks, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers) in succession last week.

If things fall off in ‘The Land’, Boston should aim to land the Spanish flor general in a contract year to own his bird rights heading into 2022 free agency. That gives Stevens flexibility to use him in a sign-and-trade or just outright re-sign him if things went well with this hypothetical Celtics union.

Why the Cleveland Cavaliers do it

Again, it’s going to take the current Cavs lineup, which de-emphasizes wings and is focused on size and length in the frontcourt with speed and shooting being the priorities in the backcourt, failing spectacularly for Rubio to even be available.

But if things do go south in Cleveland, which they have annually since LeBron James left the second time and before he returned after his first departure, this deal should be on the table considering the lack of a fit for Rubio with the Cavaliers at 31 years old.

The unprotected first-rounder makes this a tough offer to beat for other teams and allows the Cavs to continue their rebuild with an extra draft asset.