• Celtics could make a big splash
• Raptors looking to add at small forward?
• A former MVP may be dealt
With the NBA trade deadline now just one day away, the rumour mill is officially churning at full speed.
And while we’ve already likely seen the biggest deal go down over the weekend, when the New Orleans Pelicans fleeced the Sacramento Kings and acquired all-star centre DeMarcus Cousins (…and Omri Casspi) to pair with all-star MVP Anthony Davis, if recent league-wide reports are any indication we’re hardly done with blockbuster trades before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline.
Here’s the latest, with plenty of Eastern Conference playoff teams potentially gearing up for a post-season run:
CELTICS ANGLING FOR A SUPERSTAR
It’s the trade deadline version of Who’d You Rather: Paul George, Jimmy Butler or Blake Griffin?
The Boston Celtics, rumoured to be actively looking to land a star player to pair with Isaiah Thomas, have been linked to all three. With a bevy of top-flight first-round picks over the next few years (including the NBA’s worst team, Brooklyn’s, both this year and next, and the Clippers’ and Grizzlies’ in 2019) plus more than $20 million in expiring contracts (most notably Amir Johnson and Jonas Jerebko) there is no team in the league better positioned to land a superstar.
Butler is an ideal candidate, as his scoring punch and all-around game would almost instantly transform the Celtics into not only a strong bet to reach the East finals, but to also take a legitimate shot at besting the Cavaliers.
Despite an exciting off-season that saw them land Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo, Chicago has had a wildly disappointing season and may be looking to blow it up, so moving Butler would be their best chance at landing enough pieces to help kickstart that process. The biggest hiccup in a potential Celtics trade for Butler is reportedly whether or not Boston is willing to include small forward Jae Crowder. The Celts would like to keep Crowder because, well, for obvious reasons (…like the fact that he’s a good player and above-average defender), but the Bulls would want more than just picks in return for their star.
The sudden addition of Indiana’s Paul George to the trade deadline rumour mill (more detail on that below) complicates things. George would be an incredible fit on this Celtics roster (…as is the case for every NBA team), and should the Pacers want to move their superstar Boston yet again boasts an attractive mix of picks, players and expiring contracts. What’s more, the fact both elite wing players, Butler and George, are potentially up for grabs could ultimately benefit the Celtics.
While a two-way wing star would bolster the Celtics roster, GM Danny Ainge has also reportedly kicked the tires on a potential move for Clippers forward Blake Griffin and has held negotiations with the Clips over the past few weeks. Griffin’s contract expires at season’s end—and so does Chris Paul’s—so there is a thought in Clipperland that their current core has proven it doesn’t quite have what it takes to compete in the playoffs out West, and the time is now to start over. The Clippers, like Chicago, would like players in addition to draft picks from Boston, and names like Crowder, Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley—key pieces for the second-seed Celts—have come up.
Either way, the Celtics are primed to make a big splash at the deadline as they set their sights on making a run at Cleveland this post-season. A roster including some combination of Thomas, Bradley, Smart, Crowder, George/Butler/Griffin and Al Horford would certainly be capable of just that.
PACERS EXPLORING PAUL GEORGE’S TRADE VALUE
It appears Larry Bird and the Pacers are merely testing the waters to see what offers may be available for the four-time all-star. Conflicting reports, however, say that Indiana are shopping their first-round pick this season to help add talent to surround George for their upcoming playoff run.
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George has reportedly said he wants to explore his options once his contract expires in the summer of 2018—with Magic Johnson’s Lakers already emerging as potential front-runner—which has led Bird and the Pacers front office to start thinking about a possible post-George life sooner than anticipated.
George is one of the most dynamic players in the NBA, and while he may have reached his ceiling in Indiana when he led the Pacers to consecutive conference finals, a versatile two-way force of nature in his prime will surely warrant a heavy return in any trade, making teams like the Celtics one of the few clubs with the right collection of assets to land one of the league’s top 20 players.
RAPTORS LOOKING FOR A SF?
Toronto has already made their big deal, landing power forward Serge Ibaka, who will make his Raptors debut on Friday against Boston. But by giving up Terrence Ross in the trade, they could now use some help at small forward and are believed to still be active ahead of the deadline.
Veterans like Phoenix’s P.J. Tucker are available, and between their remaining first-rounder and some of the young talent on the roster, the Raptors would still have enough assets to land a player of that calibre. ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported that last summer’s “marquee” addition, Jared Sullinger, may be waived in order to make room on the roster for another player.
One name that came up often pre-Ibaka was Denver’s Danilo Gallinari, who remains up for grabs. The Nuggets are reportedly looking for a first-round pick as part of a trade for their top scorer, so the Raps could be in the running, although Denver would likely be looking for another prospect like Norm Powell to add to their young core, which may not be worth it from the Raptors’ perspective. Stay tuned.
WIZARDS LOOKING TO SHORE UP BENCH SCORING
The Washington Wizards have been one of the East’s best teams since Christmas and with their star backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal are a legitimate playoff threat. However, the Wizards could clearly use help off the bench. Enter the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Muhammad has never quite reached his potential in Minnesota and could flourish in the right role on a new team, a scary notion for the rest of the East.
KNICKS ACTIVELY SHOPPING ROSE
Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose has been something of a disaster during his first season in New York. He’s played well at times and flashed some elements of his once-a-superstar-level game, but clearly isn’t helping the Knicks win games and is a poor fit alongside Kristaps Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony (who it appears is more likely to stay put than be moved as was once reported).
The aforementioned Timberwolves, whose head coach, Tom Thibodeau, was at the helm in Chicago during Rose’s prime, have emerged as front-runners for the point guard’s services.
BIG MEN FOR SALE
Despite Cousins being taken off the table, teams looking to shore up their front court should still have plenty of options. Utah’s Derrick Favours—most recently linked to the Phoenix Suns—and Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel are the names most commonly brought up in rumours, and would likely benefit from a change of scenery—if the price is right.
Keep checking back with sportsnet.ca over the next couple of days for the latest news, rumours, instant analysis and all your NBA trade deadline coverage.