DeMarcus Cousins (Photo : Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors are starting to heat up and the added subplot of free agency and the salary cap spike makes this one of the most intriguing summers in recent history.
The Boston Celtics is one team that will inevitably make a move as they designed the team to make a splash in the off-season. Shaun Powell of NBA.com described the team best.
"Yet if the Celtics were a dinner, they'd be all sides and no entrée," Powell elaborated. "Yes, of course, there is Isaiah Thomas. The 5-foot-9 giant was a first-time All-Star this season, he creates scoring chances for himself (and others) and doesn't fear taking the big shot, either. Don't be fooled, though; the faces and true stars of the Celtics are Ainge and Stevens."
That's not much of a draw for free agents, especially someone like Kevin Durant who has almost the entire league as suitors. ESPN reiterated that Boston will indeed pursue him. There's even a theory that Ainge has courted Durant since his college days-at least he established the connection that early, and that may pay off.
"It's also hard to imagine how, if Durant elects to explore his options this offseason, he doesn't at least give Ainge another chance to sit down with his family," ESPN's Ian Begley said.
The Celtics needed three things to happen for someone like Durant to even notice them, Begley said, "that included (1) Making another leap in the East standings;(2) Developing their young talent; and (3) Hoping Brooklyn, who must hand over its first-rounder, delivers a high lottery pick."
All of those happened this year, but because of the Westbrook factor. Durant has a top 5 teammate and the Celtics should have someone to match.
Ainge understands that, as someone who orchestrated the trade that brought the Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen together.
Kevin Love was rumored to be a target at the deadline in a three-way with the Cavs and Knicks. Now, with the situation at Sacramento, DeMarcus Cousins is starting to become more plausible.
Powell implied that acquiring Cousins was actually possible. "Even during another stormy season in Sacramento, front offices who ask the Kings about Cousins got the same-old, same-old: He's not available. Translation? Nobody has offered us enough yet. Yet there's no good reason why Cousins should be untouchable."
The Celtics will need a star to attract other stars. Even Ben Simmons could possibly be just a trade chip for them at this point. Their team of "side dishes" has done well this season but they could not do any better without a star. Powell's conclusion: "Mostly, Ainge needs a franchise centerpiece. He has the right mix of supporting players to make Cousins happy, and more important, he has the coach. There is no reward without risk."
It seems like Boston needs to make a trade first before they make a free agent signing. Boogie or Love are reasonable targets.
