Jared Sullinger (Photo : Maddie Meyer | Getty Images Sport)
The Boston Celtics roster is totally imbalanced with a logjam at the power forward spot.
Jared Sullinger is one of a horde of power forwards for the Celtics including free agent acquisition Amir Johnson, trade acquisition David Lee., Perry Jones, Jordan Mickey and Jonas Jerebko. Kelly Olynyk and Tyler Zeller were also power forwards but they are now centers.
The fact that the Celtics took Amir Johnson as their free agent in the offseason speaks volumes of their confidence (or lack thereof) with Jared Sullinger, supposedly the top dog at the "four spot."
With Sullinger on a contract year, how can he show off his wares (he took special effort to lose weight and change his image) to get big money when he's too far off the depth chart?
Danny Ainge told the Boston Globe that there's "nothing imminent" with the extension talks for Sullinger leading to more trade buzz.
Another Celtic writer, Brian Robb of CBS local, has suggested that the burly Ohio State standout might be on the block.
"If Ainge is going to make a trade this preseason, Sullinger is a candidate he should consider" Robb said. "Unfortunately, the trade value of the former Ohio State star is relatively low right now, thanks to a 2014-15 season that was beset by injury and conditioning issues."
Which is why it would take some more time. "There's a logjam in the frontcourt though, and some team might want to take a gamble on him. The smart money is on that team being the Celtics for the time being, as Boston wants to know if he has fixed his weight issues after working out with John Lucas all summer. If Ainge does not want to keep him long-term anyway, he could be one to go."
Possible teams that have vacancies at the power forward spot are the Indiana Pacers, who are forced to play Paul George at the spot and the LA Clippers.
The Celts might showcase Sullinger before trading him, and let the receiving team deal with the contract situation.
