The Boston Celtics are on the verge of a trade for a major star, according to a local sports personality.
The tweets came from Dan Lifshatz, the producer for 98.5 Sports Hub.
The Celtics have been linked to numerous players as Danny Ainge has a reputation to target the big stars-and he has the assets to match any deal.
Want some more? Celtics are working the trade market for a deal and have made significant progress on a star player. Danny could trike again
— Dan Lifshatz (@DanLifshatz) July 11, 2016
No I cannot tell you who the player is...don't even bother asking. Sorry folks — Dan Lifshatz (@DanLifshatz) July 11, 2016
But its a player I believe every Celtics fan will be quite happy with!
— Dan Lifshatz (@DanLifshatz) July 11, 2016
Can't give you any hints, but its a player you WILL like
— Dan Lifshatz (@DanLifshatz) July 11, 2016
Not all deals happen, but this one has significant traction in last few days. Can Danny be Danny again?
— Dan Lifshatz (@DanLifshatz) July 11, 2016
He has been on the record to say that the team needs "a stronger center, a shooter and perhaps another ballhandler" so it's hard to pinpoint who Lifshatz is referring to. The latest scenarios from Bleacher Report has the Celtics still pursuing Jimmy Butler and Jahlil Okafor, but Okafor, or Nerlens Noel for that matter are seen as back-up plans in case the trade for a the star pushes through. Also, Lifshatz has crossed out Okafor as the subject of his tweets.
No its not Jahlil Okafor...he sucks — Dan Lifshatz (@DanLifshatz) July 11, 2016
There is also the possibility that it's the other players that Sacramento Kings' have placed on the block-specifically Rudy Gay, but Lifshatz also shot that down.
Rudy Gay is not a star player either guys....
— Dan Lifshatz (@DanLifshatz) July 11, 2016
It is also unknown if Ainge's stance on the Brooklyn picks have changed, but it has been implied that the Celtics' trade master is waiting for the prices to drop rather than paying more.
The trade targets are still the same if the category of "star" is considered. They are Cousins, Butler, Blake Griffin, Kevin Love and recently, Russell Westbrook. Ainge has been reluctant to send the Brooklyn Nets' picks for Jimmy Butler as the Chicago Bulls have asked for them.
However, they might consider giving up the precious picks for players like Cousins or Westbrook. Those picks recently gained more value in the eyes of pundits as the Brooklyn Nets' failed to strengthen their team when they missed out on Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson, whose teams (Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat) have matched their offers.
This is a developing story and according to the tweets, the possible time frame is about two weeks.