As the NBA trade rumors heat up, the team expected to lord it over has been particularly silent.
The Boston Celtics have been overshadowed by the Carmelo Anthony saga and the Ricky Rubio ruckus, but they have enough reason to pull the trigger as they losses continue.
According to an analysis on Celtics Blog, now could be the time to panic-and Danny Ainge should probably put on his trader hat. The Celtics were once thought of as contenders in the East. Despite Isaiah Thomas' phenomenal year and the addition of Al Horford, the Celts would not strike fear on the Cavs at all.
"After a season where they were top five in points allowed, they've regressed at levels that are hard to understand. The insertion of Al Horford at a spot that the defensively inept Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk once roamed would seemingly send them upward if in any direction. Instead they've plummeted," Bobby Manning of CB lamented.
Manning added: "Washington caught up to the Celtics. The Hawks are on the C's doorstep (0.5 GB) on a monstrous tear over the last ten-plus games."
If the Celtics don't want to lose this season, they should make a trade. The trade package seems clear now if they want to swing for a superstar or someone close. Marcus Smart easily took his ticket out after an incident on the bench. Call it an overreaction, but Smart was the odd point guard out. It can't be Thomas and Terry Rozier has lower value. Also, Kelly Olynyk and of course, the 2017 Brooklyn Nets' pick swap.
With the Nets "cooperating" with their trade tormentors by cementing themselves at the bottom of the standings, the value is easier to determine. The worst case scenario if the trend holds is a 4th overall pick-not a bad place for the 2017 Draft class.
So who can the Celtics get for Smart, Olynyk and a top four overall Draft pick (assuming it holds)?
DeMarcus Cousins is probably out. The Kings are determined to keep him no matter what. They are willing to take the risk of re-signing him when his contract is up and the Kings got a break from the latest CBA. Forbes contributor Anthony DiMoro believes a deal may be in the works.
If the Kings do trade Cousins, it's when he's fresh on a new contract, not an expiring one. In 2018, the team could be playoff-worthy and if not they can get maximum value for him.
Jimmy Butler is a possibility. If the Chicago Bulls continue to implode, Dwyane Wade may exercise his player option. Wade has been a key player for the Bulls but it's clear that he's not totally committed for the long term, hometown factor be damned.
If Wade does threaten to leave, the Bulls would severely lack talent and leadership. A full rebuild should be in order and a possible first overall pick in a loaded draft is the best way to do that.
Paul George is also a possibility, may be even more than Butler is. Larry Bird won't trade PG13 but if he (uncharacteristically) makes a trade demand, which is not ruled out since he is frustrated, this is more than a decent package. The temptation of getting his point guard of the future (Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball or Dennis Smith, Jr) may be too tempting for Bird to pass up. Smart is a Pacers type of player on defense to boot.
It's unlikely the Celtics trade the Nets' pick for a player below this tier. Butler and George are the most likely to be traded that the Celtics would consider giving up their top asset for.