Despite their Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 2016, the Boston Celtics revamped their entire roster after the season, only bringing back Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Terry Rozier.
The Celtics are still in a very good bargaining position compared to the rest of the league, but President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge shouldn’t be so quick to pull the trigger on a trade.
Here are the only three trade targets the Celtics should be interested in this summer.
Anthony Davis
The New Orleans Pelicans’ big man has been long coveted by the Celtics.
Ainge has been calling almost every other day inquiring if the Pelicans would be willing to part ways with “The Brow”, according to sources. Realistically, acquiring Davis would require one or both of Brown and Jayson Tatum, either Horford or Gordon Hayward, a first rounder and possible Rozier.
I think it’s worth it because Davis is one of the five best players in the league, but the question is whether or not the Pelicans think they have a realistic shot at contending or should they do a reset.
Kawhi Leonard
Leonard is one of the more intriguing possibilities out there because the Celtics would have the upper hand in negotiations, as it has been well documented that Leonard is upset with the San Antonio Spurs.
I would be willing to give up Kyrie Irving and a first rounder for Leonard, because then the Celtics would have a lineup of large, athletic guys who can all switch and play defense as well as shoot the three, putting them on the same level as “the Hamptons Five”.
Realistically, because of Irving’s injury history, Boston would probably also have to trade someone like Rozier and more to entice San Antonio, but as previously stated, Leonard’s animosity towards the Spurs might cheapen the price. Both Irving and Leonard have one year left on their deals, are the same age, and didn’t play last season.
DeAndre Ayton
The University of Arizona center is most likely the No.1 overall pick this year so he would cost the Celtics an arm and a leg to acquire.
However, the upside is tremendous. He is head and shoulders the best prospect in the draft and has been able to shoot some threes, and seems like he would fit in Brad Stevens’ system. The Celtics have plenty of wings—what they need is a big man who can make a difference. They would need to give up at least Brown and a couple of first rounders.
I just think that Ayton has the capability to be a poor man’s Anthony Davis, and with the current situation in Boston, there wouldn’t be a ton of pressure on him.
Untouchables
The Celtics’ only real untouchable should be Jayson Tatum. After the postseason he had this year, he should be relied on as a building block for the future.
Both Brown and Tatum are great, but if I had to give away one it would be Brown. Bottom line, the Celtics shouldn’t entertain any trade offers except for the three mentioned, because anyone else would be a downgrade from the chemistry and roster that the Celtica have now.
