The National Basketball Associate trade deadline is just two months away. Last summer, then Hawks star center Al Horford was traded to the Boston Celtics and changed the franchise into an easy contender in the Eastern Conference. However, other of their bigs have not made much impact and the Celtics might be looking for other slotmen to replace them. Here are some of the best bigmen in the market:
1. Nerlens Noel
Noel has shown his frustration with the Philadelphia 76ers with their annual tanking and slow progress. The 76ers have the talent but they have a logjam in the frontcourt, now that Noel has to share minutes alongside Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid. If the Celtics get their hands on him, Noel will bolster Boston's rim protection and he can set up picks and roll on the rim for alley oops.
2. Nikola Vucevic
Vucevic, much like Noel, happens to be on a front court logjam as well. With the acquisition of the Orlando Magic of Bismack Biyombo and Serge Ibaka, Vucevic's minutes have dropped. But amid a drop in playing time, Vucevic has kept his reputation as a monster on the boards and the Celtics need someone who can contribute on the rebounding department as they are the second-worst rebounding team in the league, according to NBA Stats.
3. Andrew Bogut
Bogut would be a good use as a rim protector and a pick and roll man for the Celtics. Horford could move to the power forward spot and offer a pick and pop option while the Aussie bigman could set picks and drive to the rim for the alley oop. His playmaking and rebounding skills would be a big plus for the Celtics since their current leading rebounder is shooting guard Avery Bradley, ESPN reported.
As the season progresses, the Celtics look to be a more cohesive unit game after game. An addition of any of the above big men could bolster their bid for the East.