Oh, it’s #tradeSZN Boston Celtics fans. Get excited.
The NBA has already been shaken up a good deal by blockbuster trades involving the likes of C.J. McCollum, Tyrese Haliburton, Domantas Sabonis, and Buddy Hield.
Boston could be on deck, and with their recent six-game win streak putting them in a position to climb as high as truly possible, being just 4.5 games back of the #1 seed. Of course, the teams ahead of them (the Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, and Milwaukee Bucks to name a few) could be looking to load up and separate from the pack themselves.
That’s why it feels like something is imminent for Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, who has been called ‘fair in trade negotiations.’
If it were up to Lake Show Life’s Jordanna Clark, Josh Richardson would be on his way to the Los Angeles Lakers after a deal between Rob Pelinka and Brad Stevens went down:
"To be honest, Richardson is the versatile 3-and-D wing that the Lakers thought that they were getting when they signed Kent Bazemore ahead of the season. Bazemore is averaging 3.7 points and is shooting 32.8% from the field and 35.4% from the 3-point line in the 31 games that he’s played in.Los Angeles could use a shooter that can enter the game and knock down a couple of 3-pointers and Richardson can do that.Richardson would be an upgrade and he’d provide a boost off the bench. Whether or not the below .500 Lakers trade for Richardson or not, the fate of their season relies on what’s done over the next 48 hours."
Of course, the Lakers are in a much different position than the Cs. While Boston has surged in the calendar year 2022, Los Angeles has continued to struggle. Russell Westbrook cannot seem to find a suitable home anywhere these days, and the Lakers are asking a ton out of veteran’s minimum contributors like Stanley Johnson and Malik Monk. LeBron James and Anthony Davis also may might not be capable of leading the team the way they used to.
Boston would have all the leverage in negotiations, especially since the Lakers lack a single player that is an upgrade outside of the aforementioned championship duo. You know Wyc Grousbeck isn’t signing off on a Westbrook deal for what the cost would include. Hint: it’d be a whole bunch more than just Richardson, for salary cap purposes.
Three-team arrangements is where this could have traction. Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn simply don’t move the needle in a deal, even if attached to draft picks L.A. doesn’t even have.