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Boston Celtics: 3 players the C’s should trade away

By Andrew DiIorio

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 22: Dennis Schroder #71 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on December 22, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 22: Dennis Schroder #71 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on December 22, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Player the Boston Celtics must trade No. 2) Al Horford

The latest batch of rumors has the Boston Celtics shopping around veteran center Al Horford, just five months after the two parties reunited in green.

Horford started the season as one of the team’s best players, but has slowly declined on the offensive end, hitting only 29 percent of his shots from the perimeter.

The 35 year-old provides a stellar defensive presence when he’s on the court, but clogs up too much of the paint on the offensive end, as coach Ime Udoka often has him playing next to Robert Williams in the team’s double big lineup.

Ideally, he would be a spot-starter at center and get the majority of his minutes at the backup five, but it doesn’t make sense to keep someone making $27 million on the team in that role.

Therefore, it makes sense to move on from the veteran to free up more minutes for Williams, allowing him to flourish with the rest of Boston’s core. It’s assumed that Horford will only continue to decline with age, so getting any sort of value for him this trade deadline will be valuable for both the present and future.

The double big lineup has been one of the team’s biggest problems in these first 47 games played, causing the team to get out to slow offensive starts. Freeing up minutes at the power forward position for a more modern four such as Tatum or even Grant Williams will help the team’s offense drastically, making them a more balanced and effective attack.

In return for Horford, Stevens should (and is) asking for capable centers, as the team lacks productive big man play after Al and Timelord.

Enes Freedom has had to step into the backup center role on multiple occasions, and has reminded everyone why he doesn’t see the floor more often.

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