Harrison Barnes traded to the Boston Celtics in B/R’s pre-deadline deals piece

2022’s NBA trade season is approaching its bitter end and all the Boston Celtics currently have to show for it is a bevy of low-grade rumors with their names attached and two injury-riddled youngsters in Bol Bol and P.J. Dozier who were acquired in mid-January’s Juan Hernangomez deal.

Considering where the team finds itself within the league’s standings coupled with the rather lofty expectations many had for them when coming into the year, such moves are likely not enough to satisfy the hunger that fans and, frankly, this front office have to see a full-out mid-season turnaround.

Luckily for Brad Stevens and co., however, there still remains a few days in between now and February 10th’s deadline where they can, in theory, look to make some more much-needed transactions to better bolster the C’s talent pool and, just recently, the folks at Bleacher Report concocted somewhat of a low-risk deal that would do exactly that.

The exact hypothetical trade package reads as follows:

For quite some time now, Harrison Barnes has been a player linked to the Boston Celtics as being a realistic trade option for them to strongly consider pursuing and, with the fact that he can score efficiently, distribute at a truly underrated level, defend numerous positions, and thrive when running alongside other ball-dominant players (did this when in Golden State and is currently doing this with the Sacramento Kings), some have gone as far as to say he could even be considered the ideal power forward target for this ball club.

Writer, Greg Swartz, seems to be aligned with this aforementioned train of thought, and even goes on to break down what exactly Barnes could help improve within Ime Udoka’s scheme, particularly on the offensive side of the game:

"The Celtics rank just 22nd in catch-and-shoot three-point percentage (35.2) and need more floor-spacers for guys like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart to kick the ball out to.Barnes is hitting 43.6 percent of his threes off the catch (40.7 percent overall) and averaging 16.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Kings this season. He can play either forward position and could mix and match defensively with Tatum in the frontcourt."

Generally speaking, whenever we’ve seen trade ideas concocted that look to bring a guy like Harrison Barnes to Eastern Massachusetts, along with a high-cost salary like Al Horford and the draft rights to a future first (often lottery protected), we also see some younger talents being sent away in return like Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith in an attempt to sweeten the pot for Sacramento.

Swartz’s proposal, however, finds the C’s holding onto such prospects in his Barnes deal, all while also nabbing a quality depth piece at the center position in Alex Len which, to us, makes such a trade a no-brainer move for Stevens to look into making prior to this year’s deadline.

What say you Boston Celtics fans?

Are you like us and look at this proposed transaction as being a true bargain for the shamrocks? Perhaps you’re still not sold on the notion that Harrison Barnes is worth the Cs trading for?

Whatever your thoughts are, go ahead and leave them in the comments section below!