3 possible targets for the Boston Celtics to trade for to create new star trio

After last night’s 123-104 drubbing from the hands of the Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics fans are back to wondering whether or not this is even a team that can qualify for the postseason without winning one (or more…) NBA Play-in games first.

Now, granted, Robert Williams was absent with an illness, missing the third game of the C’s last four. LaMarcus Aldridge likely doesn’t go for 17 against Boston’s typical double-big setup.

But Patty Mills’ 3-point shooting barrage likely still happens. Kevin Durant and James Harden are going for a collective minimum of 40+ points with the Time Lord in the game or not.

These Boston Celtics are just not the caliber of contender that could hang with a team as deep as the Nets. And they’ve proven the same against foes like the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, and Washington Wizards as well.

They can be, though, if Brad Stevens plays his card right in the trade market. Guys like Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, Al Horford, and Josh Richardson have value in deals to contenders, and in Williams’ case, just about any team. Luckily, they also have high enough salaries to be used in an all-in swap for a star that also requires draft picks.

Hardwood Houdini genuinely believes that Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum just need the right third star to be the next great championship trio. Tim Bontemps heard the same from executives:

"“They probably need another guy,” the Eastern Conference scout said. “I love Al Horford, but he’s getting older. And I love Smart. But once you get past Brown and Tatum — and especially past [Horford and Smart] — every guy is a question mark for me. “They’re down to two legitimate stars, [and] you normally need three [to win].”"

Here are 3 guys that would move them infinitely closer to those heights: