Nervous Boston Celtics fans hoping that the front office will take to the trade market and pluck one of the most available two-way wings in the Association are likely going to have to shift their hopes elsewhere.
Following a so-so start to the season under interim head coach Joe Mazzulla, Boston is looking like they’re a few key pieces short of establishing themselves as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Of course, they’re relying on guys like Blake Griffin, Luke Kornet, and Noah Vonleh due to injuries to Robert Williams III and Danilo Gallinari. Still, the NBA schedule doesn’t spare mercy because a team is not completely healthy.
One of the league’s most available two-way wings, Jae Crowder, would seemingly solve a lot of the C’s problems due to his defensive versatility and knock-down 3-point shooting, and he also has a history of playing home games at the T.D. Garden.
For those hoping a Crowder return could be in the works, though, tempering expectations is the best course of action. MassLive’s Brian Robb poured water on the idea during his latest Celtics Mailbag, denying the premise he would solve any problems defensively and doubting that the Phoenix Suns would take back what Boston would offer:
"“I don’t think Jae Crowder solves any of this team’s defensive issues at age 32. The team could certainly use a wing like him on the bench but the Suns are going to want some real value for him, not an injured Danilo Gallinari. Given that Crowder is an expiring contract on the tail end of his career, I don’t think the Celtics would consider giving up a rotation player for him that the Suns are likely seeking amid their own title push. Barring an injury, don’t see the Celtics getting involved here for their former wing.”"
The Boston Celtics need to make a move soon
There was a thought that the Boston Celtics can survive the early portion of the season without their league-best starting five from a season ago and without their marquee free agent signing from this past summer. That may still be the case, since the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Eastern Conference’s current No. 2 seed, needed overtime twice to beat them in 2 of their 3 current losses.
Then again, things could get even tougher in the coming weeks as the C’s top 7 rotation players rack up big minutes and may face fatigue. Joe Mazzulla may not be able to get by leaning on his current set of centers behind Al Horford, and he may also need a wing to produce in the same capacity Danilo Gallinari was supposed to.
While Jae Crowder and Deni Avdija may not be on the table at the moment, Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens may need to get creative finding someone for one of the team’s remaining TPEs or through other means to strengthen this roster in order to reach the championship or near-championship levels most expected of them entering the season.