Boston Celtics amongst contenders to land 12x All-Star: Report
By Sam LaFrance
Though the Boston Celtics weren’t involved in the biggest news of the weekend — the trade sending Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns — they very well could reap the rewards of the deal’s repercussions.
As part of the deal, Phoenix sent Chris Paul to Washington. Paul — who the Suns were reported be looking to move earlier this month — has been previously linked to the Celtics. Once the trade was reported, those rumors once again reared their head. According to The Action Network’s Matt Moore, Boston is expected to be amongst the rumored destinations for the 12-time NBA All-Star, should he be bought out by the Wizards.
“League sources expect Paul to either be traded or bought out and waived,” Moore wrote. “The Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks are among the teams league sources believe he’ll be eventually be rumored to join.”
What reason do the Boston Celtics have to go after Chris Paul?
As of right now, none. With a log jam at the guard position as it is, bringing in yet another capable option doesn’t loosen things up at all.
However, a wider view of things could make Boston targeting Paul feel like a savvy move. If the 38-year-old is bought out by Washington, then he’ll likely be playing on a cheap salary, regardless of where.
Adding the 11-time All-NBA guard for next-to-nothing could help the Celtics be flexible in reshaping their roster. For example, with Paul in the fold Boston could feel more comfortable about moving one of Marcus Smart, Derrick White, or Malcolm Brogdon in a trade that strengthens another area of the roster. That scenario was something that MassLive’s Brian Robb shared as a possibility last week.
Of the three, Brogdon is reportedly the most likely to be moved, per NBA Insider Marc Stein.
The 31-year-old is set to make $22.5 million next season, which makes him a solid piece to offer in a trade. Not to say that Brogdon is worth the money — or really even that Boston should trade him — but they’d at least have the flexibility to bring in another impactful player by doing so.