The Boston Celtics improved to 29-17, earning a 102-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night. It was an evening that saw Jrue Holiday and Robert Williams III face their former team for the first time since being traded to the Pacific Northwest.
"I just think the people, the fans, the crowd, how they embrace you, and kind of make you a part of their own team and own village. So, I'll obviously never forget that," said Holiday while discussing his lasting memories from his two years in Boston.
The two-time All-Star also shared that he isn't surprised by his former team's success this season.
The Celtics are generating the second-most points per 100 possessions, yielding the second-fewest points per game, and boast the third-highest net rating. They are also tied with the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs for the most wins against opponents with a .500 record or better [14].
What they're demonstrating won't cause the front office to act irresponsibly. However, Boston has established itself as capable of contending in a wide-open Eastern Conference. That creates an incentive to acquire a reinforcement that fits within the parameters of what Brad Stevens and Co. are looking for.
While higher-priced options like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ivica Zubac are two names frequently connected to the Celtics, a new potential addition has emerged.
Examining the Celtics' reported interest in Keon Ellis
According to James Ham of ESPN 1320 and Locked On Kings, Boston is among the teams to call Sacramento about Keon Ellis. The others are the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Indiana Pacers.
He would be an outstanding addition. Ellis is an excellent and disruptive perimeter defender. He has impressive lateral quickness, active hands, and he's a savvy defender. That has translated to him averaging 1.1 steals this season despite only starting in five games and logging under 18 minutes per contest.
The former Alabama standout is also a reliable three-point shooter. For his career, he is hoisting 3.3 attempts from beyond the arc and converting them at a 41.5 percent clip.
Ellis would arrive in Boston on an expiring contract. He recently turned 26 and is poised for a significant spike in salary from the $2.3 million team option he is playing on for the current campaign.
The Celtics' interest in Ellis could be nothing more than a franchise performing its due diligence. And if they acquire him but trade Anfernee Simons, they would miss the latter's abilities as a primary ball-handler and shot creator. Those two traits aren't what make the former an enticing potential addition.
However, what it costs to land Ellis could be part of what helps fit him into the rotation. If he spends the rest of this season teaming with Simons in Boston, then, in the summer, if the latter is too expensive to re-sign or opts for the chance to become a starter again, the Celtics could retain Ellis, likely on a less expensive contract.