A 3-step trade deadline plan for the Boston Celtics

Well, things aren’t exactly hunky-dory for the Boston Celtics right now. A three-game winning streak that felt fragile was undone by the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers in crushing fashion Friday night.

Now, the Cs are right back in the danger zone. An NBA Play-in seed is no longer in their possession, and there’s no rest for the weary: the Eastern Conference’s #1-seeded Chicago Bulls are coming to town.

Worse yet, they’re coming after a 138-96 humbling at the hands of the Golden State Warriors at home.

So, the not-so-distant future could be as painful as this past Friday was. There’s more hope for the tad-more-distant future.

Specifically, right around February 10th. Of course, that’s the NBA’s trade deadline and the next appropriate time for Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens to strike…unless things get too dire before then…

Anyway, Hardwood Houdini doesn’t want the 2021-22 season to be associated with the word ‘dire’ come April. This three-step NBA trade deadline plan could perhaps avoid that from becoming a reality:

The Houdini’s Boston Celtics trade deadline plan step #1: Trade for Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes

Why the Boston Celtics do it

Harrison Barnes is a proven championship-level starter, and his physicality coupled with versatility would be welcomed at the 4. He’d be a direct replacement of Al Horford in the starting lineup, and an upgrade in the shooting department.

Buddy Hield, meanwhile, could replace all of the bench scoring lost in this deal and then some. Alex Len replaces some of the big man depth lost in the deal.

The Sacramento Kings are looking to deal both, so Brad Stevens ought to make a simultaneous play and offer this Houdini-approved package.