Boston Celtics: Proposal adds point guard with championship on résumé

Now could be the time for the Boston Celtics to strike on the trade market, with their championship window likely opened wider than just about any other team in the Association. With that said, the Cs have the best record in the league, but they’ve shown vulnerabilities. Were some of them cases of the team playing down to the level of their competition? Absolutely yes. But in other cases, the lack of depth in the frontcourt (on the wing and in the post) has been glaring, particularly during games where starters and key bench players were out.

Boston could aim to cover up their frontcourt depth on the buyout market, with bigs like LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMarcus Cousins currently available and others likely to hit the market after the deadline. But what about upgrading at a different position — like perhaps bringing in a veteran point guard with a championship on his résumé?

During MassLive reporter Brian Robb’s recent Boston Celtics Mailbag, a reader proposed a trade that would net the Cs just that, giving up Payton Pritchard as the main piece in a deal landing Chicago Bulls point guard Alex Caruso:

Depth at guard positions makes an Alex Caruso deal unlikely for Boston Celtics

Ultimately, the idea of Alex Caruso in a Boston Celtics uniform is a fun one, but not one that’s likely rooted in reality. While Payton Pritchard now has Finals experience, he never started in a title-clincher like Caruso did in 2020 during the bubble Finals. Still, adding Caruso — and giving up a good number of assets in order to do so — isn’t likely given the C’s holes elsewhere.

MassLive’s Brian Robb’s answer to the reader who proposed this trade explains the issues that the front office would face before passing on such a deal:

"“The Celtics say no to that offer in my opinion. Caruso would be a nice fit as you mentioned but this team is deep in the backcourt already and I can’t see them giving up a rotation player in Pritchard and three draft picks in order to land him despite the fact that he’s on a good contract. Dumping the Gallinari deal would be a win but if the Celtics are going to give up those kinds of assets, they shouldn’t do it at a redundant position.”"

Luckily, in 2023, it’s a guard’s league, so Boston is in a good place roster-wise. It does, however, prevent fun difference-makers like Caruso from being considered in a deal anytime soon.

Sounds like a great problem to have overall.