Boston Celtics: Veteran’s presence could preclude Draymond Green trade, analyst says

Following the recent trouble in paradise in the Bay Area involving the defending champion Warriors core quite literally going at each other’s throats, Golden State forward and the owner of a lethal straight right, Draymond Green, is on the trade block. Along with the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, and Brooklyn Nets, the Boston Celtics have been listed as a potentially logical landing spot.

Green in green would be a sight many in Boston would likely have reservations about considering his age (32) and contract situation — he owns a player option for the 2023-24 season he could opt out of next summer — not to mention his seemingly disrespectful comments about the 2021-22 Cs not worrying him as a LeBron James-led team would.

Still, adding him to a defensive-minded core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart would allow the Celtics to smother opponents. It’s not a stretch to say that quartet would be a title favorite, especially since it’d weaken the biggest threat to Boston’s title hopes.

Still, Celtics Today host Will Scott believes such a trade isn’t likely on the table due to a veteran already playing the position — and it’s not starter Al Horford, surprisingly, but instead recent signee Blake Griffin:

"“I don’t know how much sense that makes after signing Blake Griffin. Yes, you did need some depth at the 4, Draymond plays that position, but now you got Griffin, so I don’t know how much sense that makes…”"

What the Boston Celtics could offer in a Draymond Green trade

Quite frankly, the Boston Celtics have a great trade chip that would likely interest Golden State in veteran Al Horford. His dribble hand-offs would create shot opportunities for the likes of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole, while his backdoor reads from the 5 would create easy looks for the likes of Poole and Andrew Wiggins at the rim.

The Warriors would likely ask for plenty of draft capital in return, and the Cs could counter that offer by offering Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White, and/or Robert Williams. Still, if the Dubs want to figure out what they have in James Wiseman, ‘The Timelord’ isn’t a necessity, and if Brogdon and White play at positions where Golden State already has depth.