Al Horford and Nikola Vucevic (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics is now focusing on making the big trades to strengthen their roster.
Despite getting an upgrade by signing one of the top free agents in Al Horford, the Celtics have declared that they need a "stronger center."
For most of his career, Al Horford has been improvised as a center with the Atlanta Hawks but his natural position is power forward. In college, he played alongside Joachim Noah in Florida and won back-to-back titles. The Celtics and perhaps even Horford himself believe he would be more effective in his normal spot.
While the Celtics claim that "their phones are ringing" with possible offers for DeMarcus Cousins and/or Jahlil Okafor, there is still the possibility that they strike out on the two big names. Fortunately for them, there could be another option: Nikola Vucevic of the Orlando Magic.
In an Orlando Sentinel piece from Josh Robbins, the possibility of trading their resident starting center was explored after the acquisition of Bismack Biyombo. New coach Frank Vogel wants to emphasize defense at the frontline and the trade for Serge Ibaka signified that. Vucevic could come off the bench or be traded.
"On the other hand, the improved big-man depth could also free the Magic to trade Vucevic, who predicates his game on finesse and mid-range jumpers," Robbins stated. "Vucevic, who averaged 18.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game this past season, could be a valuable trade piece. He has three seasons remaining on a team-friendly contract that pays him an average of $12.25 million per year."
With near double-double averages, Vucevic is a bargain especially when one considers the new contracts signed this offseason. Acquiring him would not derail the Celtics cap space for a free agent push in 2017.
What would the Magic want in return from the Boston Celtics? Team site Hardwood Houdini has mentioned Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier as possible trade pieces. It is quite noticeable that Smart's play is similar to former Magic guard Victor Oladipo who was sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder to acquire Ibaka.
Marcus Smart is a combo guard with size and athleticism who plays hard defense, someone who has probably caught the eye of Frank Vogel.
This is a possible trade that the Boston Celtics could explore since dealing for Cousins is always tricky and the Sixers seem adamant on getting value for Jahlil Okafor. If Smart is the only chip the Celtics need to send for Vucevic, that sounds like a fair transaction.
