Boston Celtics: Trade proposal brings Marcus Morris back to Cs

It’s not been long since the offseason started for the Boston Celtics, but rumors have already begun sprouting regarding what players may be brought aboard to make up for the gap between the Cs and a certain ‘championship material’ threshold that their 2022 NBA Finals performance proved they have not yet reached.

Various heartbroken Celtics fans have suggested names that have ranged from Jordan Clarkson–who might be available to Boston PBO Brad Stevens because of his former link to Jazz front office executive/long-time Cs GM Danny Ainge–to former NBA Champion role player Kyle Kuzma, who is now an ill-fitting piece on the young forward-heavy Wizards.

Another interesting name that has been linked to the team this offseason–one that is familiar to Boston Celtics fans that followed the failed Kyrie Irving era closely–is that of Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris.

According to Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype, the Cs could explore a return for the former combo forward, who started 74 games in his two years under former head coach/current front office head honcho Brad Stevens:

"“Some players they could pursue with their trade exceptions include former Celtic Marcus Morris. The Celtics have all their future first-round picks to offer going forward, and they’ve shown a willingness to trade them when they traded one for Horford and another for White since Stevens took over.”"

What the Boston Celtics could give up in a Marcus Morris trade

Ideally, the Celtics would be able to nab Morris for a future pick alone and call it a day. Unfortunately, the Clippers will most certainly not give up the former lottery pick up so easily. As a team that was two games from the 2021 NBA Finals, the L.A. would need a win-now asset in return to continue their quest for a first banner in franchise history.

The best salary-matching piece the Clippers would consider is Derrick White, but that’d be a lateral move (at best) for the Celtics. White would likely be included in a deal for a star, if anything, not a role player five years older than him.

Assuming Stevens wouldn’t include his star acquisition during this past February’s trade deadline, this could be a more realistic offer for Morris:

Why the Boston Celtics do it

It’s now or never for Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens with this current core. This offseason will be one pointed to if these Cs don’t end up raising a banner together and Jaylen Brown and/or Jayson Tatum skip town eventually.

With that in mind, giving up a draft pick for a player that fit so well in his first go-round with the franchise is the best way to make sure the ‘Jays’ never feel like the front office wasn’t supporting their championship aspirations.

Morris raises the defensive ceiling and adds a switchable defender that could help the team defend small-ball outfits like the defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. A draft pick and non-rotation players from the NBA Finals is not an overpay for who could prove to be the ‘final piece’. Remember, Morris, Marcus Smart, the ‘Jays’, and Al Horford have proven to be an effective lineup before, aka back in 2018 when the franchise was pegged to be a contender in the years to come.

Why the Los Angeles Clippers do it

The Clippers could use a center on their 2022-23 roster, which so far includes just Ivica Zubac and his non-guaranteed $7.5 million. Daniel Theis would be a great fit for the Clippers shot-creators off the dribble, providing elite-level ‘seals’ that should make life easier for Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Norm Powell and co.

Aaron Nesmith is a sensible dice roll for a franchise that has made unsung postseason heroes out of the likes of Reggie Jackson and Terance Mann, especially with a decision on his 2022-23 club option not necessary until October 31st. The non-guaranteed deals of Malik Fitts and Nik Stauskas can simply be waived upon completion of the swap and are included solely for salary-matching purposes. Los Angeles has plenty of young wins that need minutes ahead of them.