Right now im basking in the glory of the Celtics game 3 win, and one of the best playoff performances we've seen from an individual Celtics player ever...however, the dysfunction we witnessed all season long can not be ignored, and clearly the team is in dire need of a roster shake up.
Don't worry, im not going to float the idea of trading Tatum or Brown. The Celtics are fortunate enough to have two young all stars who have yet to reach their ceilings. I think breaking that kind of caliber duo up would be extremely short sighted and detrimental to the franchises future...but the surrounding talent needs a serious overhaul.
1. MOVE #1
Celtics trade: Kemba Walker, 2022 1st rounder (lottery protected)
Celtics get: Ricky Rubio, Thaddeus Young
Bulls trade: Thaddeus Young, Tomas Satoransky, Al Farouq-Aminu
Bulls get: Kemba Walker, Jake Layman
Wolves trade: Ricky Rubio, Jake Layman
Wolves get: Tomas Satoransky, Al Farouq-Aminu, Celtics protected 2022 1st rounder
The Celtics get a lot better defensively with this trade while unloading Kembas albatross of a contract. Rubio is better than people think, but unfortunately hasnt really been given the chance to showcase that since he's mostly found himself on pretty mediocre teams. I've always been a fan of his, along with Thad Young. And i think those two will be eager to prove they are worthy of at least one more NBA contract. If the Celtics are able to move Kemba, they should not expect prospects or picks in return. But being to unload that contract while picking up two solid vets on expirings would be a win in my mind.
Chicago gets a high level scorer while keeping their two All Stars and best young players. Minny gets a solid young point guard who they can look in to keeping long term, and a pick in exchange for Rubios expiring.
2. Move #2
Celtics get: Ivica Zubac, Pat Beverley, 25th pick
Clippers get: Marcus Smart, Tristan Thompson, Carsen Edwards
The Clippers backs are going to be against the wall when they (probably) fail to make the conference finals yet again with their loaded roster. While I think trading one of their two main guys is unlikely, they will need a shake up, something like this, to stay relevent and in contention in the brutal western conference. Many will hate to see Smart go in a trade, but not as much as they'd hate to see him leave for nothing as a free agent in the 2022 offseason. This way you get some value for him. Because of that, this is a trade I can easily see Danny making. Also, Danny, has always seemed to want to send guys who were loyal to the franchise and beloved by the fans (PP, KG, IT) to good playing situations where they can contend and play with other high caliber talent. Also, with wing acquisitions of Fournier, Nesmith, and Langford in the past year, Smarts departure seems more likely than ever. In return, Celtics get as servicable of a back up center as the league has to offer in Zubac (who will come in handy seeing as timelord is mostly made of glass), a defensive menace in Beverley, and a first rounder.
Move #3
BOS gets: Larry Nance Jr
CLE gets: TPE, 2021 1st (16th overall)
Yes, i believe the Celtics still have some of that TPE to use. Nance is a good target seeing as he's a mobile big who can pass and shoot and is on a reasonable contract. I think Nance is another guy, like Rubio, who is actually better than people think, and just needs to be in the right situation to prove it. He started out his career known primarily as a flashy dunker, but has really become someone you can rely on to bring energy consistently, make smart plays, and spread the floor a bit...Celtics really need all those things from a big. Nance can be like Theis 2.0.. Cleveland is in rebuild mode and gladly take the first rounder for Nance. I'm someone who has been adiment in the past about not giving up picks, but this yeard draft really has no one in the Celtics range i'd look twice at.
Move #4
Re-sign Evan Fournier. I don't think there's a lot of debate on this one. Fournier is in his prime and its hard to argue agaiunst him getting paid in the 15-18 mill per season range.
That leaves us with this roster...
PG: Ricky Rubio , Pat Beverley , Payton Pritchard
SG: Evan Fournier , Aaron Nesmith
SF: Jaylen Brown , Romeo Langford , Jabari Parker
PF: Jayson Tatum , Larry Nance Jr. , Thaddeus Young , Grant Williams
C: Robert Williams , Ivica Zubac , 25th pick
Better team than 20-21 in a alot of ways. Smothering defense at the PG postion all game long, more shooting, and just more depth overall. I don't think it can be overstated how valubale veterans like Beverley, Young, and Rubio can be to a young team like this. Those guys have made careers out of being gritty and playing with a lot of heart. We also keep all our young guys who've yet to peak, and also keep Fournier who i really like and who i think will benefit a lot from having a training camp with this team under his belt.