With the NBA Trade deadline less than one month away, rumors of potential trades are being reported. One team that may be in the mix for a shakeup at the deadline is the Boston Celtics. Despite having the best record in the NBA, the Celtics are reportedly interested in making a trade or two to beef up their team for the second half of the season. However, as the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The Celtics look like the best team in basketball at 28-8 and have won the most games so far this season. So should the Celtics be in the trade market, or should they just let it ride with the team they already have?
Should the Celtics Make a Trade Before the Deadline?
The Pros of Making a Trade
Poor Bench Scoring
Heading into the 2023-24 season, the Celtics’ biggest concern was their bench. Outside of their starting lineup, arguably the best in the league, there appeared to be a clear drop off. Al Horford is still a reliable big at 37 years old, but he’s practically guaranteed to sit a few games regularly to keep him well-rested for the playoffs. Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser have been solid, but it may not be enough for a championship push.
The Celtics currently average 27.2 bench points per game, easily among the worst in the NBA. Obviously for a starting lineup as loaded as the Celtics’, bench scoring isn’t as important. Even so, making a trade for a player who can consistently score points off the bench could be the move that solidifies the Celtics’ greatness.
Needed Big Man Depth
Next to concerns over their bench, the biggest question for the Celtics was their big man depth behind Kristaps Porzingis and Horford. Coach Joe Mazzulla has done a good job managing the two big men, playing them in opposite games of back-to-backs. However, it looked like there wasn’t another solid big man on the roster beyond these two. The jury is still out on this a few months into the season. Luke Kornet dropped a season-high 20 points in his lone start this season, and Neemias Queta looks like he belongs on an NBA team. However, it remains to be seen if either big man can be trusted for the long run. One name that’s been thrown around in the rumor mill is the Chicago Bulls’ Andre Drummond.
Drummond is an unrestricted free agent in 2024, and the Bulls may trade him within the next month. The UConn alum is averaging 8.8 rebounds per game this season and has grabbed 20+ boards in two games so far. Depending on what the Celtics may have to trade, Drummond is someone who could fill that need.
The Cons of Making a Trade
The Team is Already Good Enough
Is this a cop-out answer? Yes, but it’s the truth. The Celtics will likely be in the NBA title picture this season, regardless of whether they make a trade or not. Even so, this doesn’t prevent the Celtics from regularly appearing in trade rumors ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline.
There May Not Be Enough Assets
Take away the top-six players in Boston and there isn’t a ton of trade value from the Celtics’ end. Celtics GM Brad Stevens knows this as well.
Brad Stevens said a couple of times today that the Celtics are limited with trade resources. He did mention they will be looking for another big wing, but said that could come from within as well.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) January 4, 2024
Making an impactful trade when there’s not a lot to give up will be tough for the Celtics. Plus, they’re not a team that needs to make a trade happen. Staying put and continuing with what they already have might be the right move.
Oshae Brissett Has Earned an Opportunity
Stevens has recently said that he may be looking for a “big wing” at the NBA Trade Deadline. However, he may not have to look too far to find what he’s looking for.
Oshae Brissett is that "Big wing" Brad Stevens is looking for.
The dude is balling out despite shooting 1-of-6 — impactful play after impactful play
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) January 7, 2024
Oshae Brissett‘s counting stats aren’t amazing–he’s averaging 3.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game–but his impact is clear as day when watching Celtics games. The 6’7″ forward has been an “energy guy” for the Celtics this year and regularly makes hustle plays. This is the type of Celtics basketball that is now famous thanks to guys like Rajon Rondo and Marcus Smart. Brissett has earned more minutes and could become an X-Factor for the team come playoff time.
The Last Word on a Potential Celtics Trade
NBA trades and trade rumors are exciting. But making a trade just for the sake of making one is a bad idea for any NBA team. The Celtics aren’t flawless, but it’s pretty clear they’re one of the best teams in basketball, if not the best. If a player becomes available for close to nothing, it would make sense for the Celtics to jump on the opportunity. But if not, the Celtics should be happy with the roster they have and developing from within.
