The Boston Celtics could be among the NBA teams to make a big trade in the offseason.
For the Celtics, free agency will not be the only means of getting key players to bolster their roster. Adam Fromal of Bleacher Report listed NBA teams that could possibly make a trade in the offseason, particularly at the 2016 NBA draft. One of the teams Fromal noted is the Celtics, who have plenty of draft picks and young prospects to package for a trade deal.
The Celtics have a plethora of picks in this year's draft, thanks to the deals general manager Danny Ainge made in the past few years. But there is a growing sense that a franchise, who has been longing to get back to winning titles, is ready to trade young prospects to acquire a proven star the team has been lacking.
"The Boston Celtics aren't just likely to make a trade; they're practically guaranteed to make one," Fromal wrote.
It is no secret the Celtics are looking for a superstar, which became a necessity for the team following Boston's first round exit from the playoffs this year. One of the names surfacing as a potential trade target for the Celtics is Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin.
Following another failed postseason campaign, the Clippers have plenty of reassessments to do in the offseason, which could include whether the team should continue with the star pairing of Griffin and Chris Paul.
Michael Pina of Fox Sports explored a trade scenario that would send Griffin to the Celtics for Amir Johnson, Avery Bradley and the 2016 and 2018 first round draft picks from the Brooklyn Nets.
Griffin would be the perfect star fit to play with the Celtics, with the team's frontcourt lacking depth. None of the likes of Tyler Zeller, Kelly Olynyk, Amir Johnson and Jared Sullinger has the talent to turn the franchise around, but an All-Star like Griffin could put Boston back as legitimate title contenders.
However, the Clippers do not seem to be ready yet to break apart their pair of superstars. Doc Rivers insisted that vowed to make a "strong effort" to bring Paul, Griffin and other of the Clippers' free agents back in LA.
If the Celtics miss out on Griffin, they could target other stars like Sacramento Kings' DeMarcus Cousins or Chicago Bulls' Jimmy Butler. OKC Thunder Kevin Durant would probably be the Franchise's top priority in free agency, but Christopher Gasper of the Boston Globe believes it is more likely that Danny Ainge would opt for a riskier additions in Cousins or Butler.
"It's much more likely that Danny Ainge is going to have to roll the dice on a riskier roster addition, such as immensely talented but mercurial Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins or Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler," Gasper wrote.
Cousins and Butler have been linked to the Celtics before the Feb. 18 trade deadline earlier this year, and if the situation of luring either of the two of the stars presents itself, Boston could certainly revisit such possible transactions.
Whether the Celtics have a real chance at landing a proven star remains to be seen, but there is no denying the 17-time NBA champs are in pole position to make a big trade, thanks to the stack of draft picks they have this year.