The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga will have unintended consequences around the league. One such ripple effect is former All-Star center Rudy Gobert hitting the trade market -- a development that could grant the Boston Celtics everything they want at this year's trade deadline.
The Celtics lost their top three centers this past offseason, a reality that was supposed to doom their chances of competing this season. Instead, a strong season has put Boston in a position to contend for the Eastern Conference crown - but to do so, they need to accelerate finding a starting center.
Neemias Queta has been rock solid for the Celtics, but his high-end outcomes likely fall short of "starter on a title contender". If the team’s forward tandem of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum is one of the best in the league, if not the very best, there is an opportunity to plug an above-average starting 5 beside them to form the defensive foundation that can support true title contention.
The Celtics’ plan coming into the season was to take a beat, get less expensive, and set up contending teams down the road. That plan has changed now, as rather than shedding salary at this year’s Trade Deadline, Boston can now look to aggressively shop for an upgrade and make a run this year.
Doing so requires such a target being available, of course. The Celtics reportedly made a strong offer for Ivica Zubac and were rebuffed by the LA Clippers. Names such as Daniel Gafford and Nic Claxton have been tossed around. Onyeka Okongwu is a name to watch.
What if the Celtics are aiming too low? What if one of the favorites for Defensive Player of the Year were to suddenly come available? The stars are aligning for the Celtics to land a true difference-maker at center -- and his name is Rudy Gobert.
The Celtics should trade for Rudy Gobert
If the Minnesota Timberwolves want to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, as they are reportedly hoping to do, they must come up with a trade package that appeals to the Milwaukee Bucks. Entirely without first-round draft capital after multiple trades, including the one that brought Rudy Gobert to town, that means trading their current players.
Milwaukee, however, doesn't want to load its team with expensive veteran starters; they need to enter a rebuild if they trade Antetokounmpo. Thus, third and fourth teams need to be brought to the table, teams willing to trade picks and prospects for the Timberwolves' veterans that can be rerouted to the Bucks in a Giannis deal. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported this week that the Wolves are currently trying to do exactly that.
Enter the Boston Celtics. They can take advantage of the Wolves' desperation and buy low on Gobert, who at 33 years old is still a defensive monster. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year is on track to be a finalist again this year, and depending on how many games Victor Wembanyama plays, could end up winning a record-setting fifth trophy.
Gobert is also having a strong season alongside his defensive impact, pulling down 11.3 rebounds per game and leading the league in field goal percentage as a finisher in the paint. He won't replicate the floor-spacing element that the Celtics had with Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis on the 2024 title team, but he brings everything else they could want: low usage, elite rebounder, dominant defender.
What would a trade look like? Sam Hauser and Anfernee Simons together would make the money work, with Boston even shaving $2.7 million off of their tax bill. Add in a first-round pick and this year's New Orleans second (likely to be in the first five picks of the second round) and the value is close. Credit to Sam Quinn of the Third Apron podcast for the framework.
Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Rudy Gobert would be a phenomenal two-way group with size, defense and shot-making to make a real run in the Eastern Conference over the next couple of seasons.
Rudy Gobert? Come on down!