The Boston Celtics, as currently constructed, look good enough to compete in the postseason. The Boston Celtics, plus Jayson Tatum and Ivica Zubac, would likely be the favorite in the Eastern Conference. The former appears intent on playing at some point this season after his Achilles tear last season, and the latter might be on the trade block as the Clippers look to change the mojo in Los Angeles.
Things have picked up for the Clippers after a dreadful start to the year; they're 10-3 in their past 13 games, and suddenly peering into the play-in race as Kawhi Leonard somehow gets back to his prime form. But it's hard to imagine this team winning multiple series in the playoffs, thus a move might be imminent. Of course, trading Zubac would be a big move, but he's the player most likely to net the Clippers first-rounder draft capital and young talent in a deal.
And the Celtics should be willing to pay that price; there are some combinations of players that work in a Zubac deal, and if the Clippers are interested in Payton Pritchard (and perhaps more importantly, if the Celtics are willing to deal him) then it wouldn't be too hard to concoct a package for the 28 year-old big man.
Ivica Zubac makes too much sense for Boston Celtics
Turns out, the Eastern Conference has been as wide open as everyone expected. Detroit currently holds the lead in the conference, but it has some real holes that might make a Finals run impossible. New York might be the current best bet to come out of the conference, while Toronto, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Orlando all feel extremely beatable.
Basically, what was supposed to be a reset year for the Celtics now could be another contention year — but it might require one big trade, and Zubac is the perfect home run candidate.
He's not the type of player that Brad Stevens could offer up a few future second-rounders for and call it a day, though. Adding Zu (who is under contract through 2027-28) will take a legitimate package. If the Celtics believe that he's the difference in a good playoff run and an NBA Finals run, then paying up is worth it every day of the week.
He fits the lineup perfectly and gives the team a huge upgrade at the biggest position of need. That, combined with Tatum's potential return, takes this team from a nice story to a powerhouse in the East.