Boston Celtics: FN proposal sends Utah Jazz starter to Cs for picks
The Boston Celtics are 4-2, but their pair of losses indicates a potential problem at the pivot position until Robert Williams III returns. Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic single-handedly destroyed the Cs with 23 rebounds, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen ended up with double-doubles in an overtime win for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Boston has enough talent by and large to get by without making a move on paper, but Grant Williams’ absence against Cleveland showed that any matchup could be compromised by a last-second suspension or injury.
The Cs would do well to add a youthful talent that could finish lobs in the same vein of ‘The Timelord’ to hold the line until Boston’s frontcourt is whole. FanNation recently came up with an intriguing name that matches that description.
Here’s FanNation writer Brett Siegel’s proposal from his piece entitled ‘Trades NBA Teams Could Consider Making Heading Into November’:
"Boston Celtics Receive: F Jarred VanderbiltUtah Jazz Receive: F Justin Jackson (to be waived), POR 2023 2nd Round Pick (via BOS), BOS 2025 1st Round Pick (Top-10 Protected)"
Why the Boston Celtics do it
This proposal is one that Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens would have a tough time saying no to given the protections on the one first round pick given up and the fact that no rotation members would be sacrificed in the deal.
Jarred Vanderbilt is proving capable of being a floor-stretcher for the Utah Jazz frontcourt thus far following the Rudy Gobert trade, playing alongside former Celtic Kelly Olynyk and potential first-time All-Star this season, Lauri Markkanen. He’s hit 3/7 3-point attempts and has amassed 4 steals in 2 different games.
Vanderbilt could be a hedge in case Grant Williams gets signed to an offer sheet next offseason the Cs wouldn’t want to match. Playing on last year’s postseason Minnesota Timberwolves and a potential playoff crashing Jazz speaks well to Vanderbilt’s value.
Why the Utah Jazz do it
Danny Ainge built a roster that most expected to lose many games, but thus far in 2022-23, the opposite has transpired. The Jazz have a roster with creative playmakers that are meshing well to the tune of a winning record through 8 games.
That may not be the plan with Victor Wembanyama coming to the league in the 2023 NBA Draft. Even if teams could be penalized by Adam Silver if they are suspected of tanking, Ainge should make future-focused moves by the time Justin Jackson’s contract could be traded by the Boston Celtics — unless Utah doesn’t want to stop winning this season.