The Boston Celtics are entering a very important summer for the franchise, as the team is transitioning from the one that won an NBA title to one that would like to contend over the next few years and that is why they pondered a trade during the season for Al Jefferson and/or Paul Milsap.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Danny Ainge and the Celtics looked at trying to acquire one or both of the stars from the Utah Jazz, but after working out on the deal the plans never came through and it fell apart. The Jazz have big decisions to make of their own when it comes to Milsap and Jefferson, as they likely can keep only one player when they hit free agency. Jefferson looks like the more likely option for Boston since he used to be a Celtic and the Jazz likely will want to keep Milsap since his production has been good for them over the years.
The trade deadline looked like a good chance for the Celtics to make a big move, but instead they stuck with what they had in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce and despite losing Rajon Rondo to injury, the team took the New York Knicks to six games in the playoffs before losing after going down 3-0 in the series. Utah likely would have had to do the Celtics a favor to make that deal work, but now that the summer is coming soon and free agency will start, both teams have big questions to figure out.
The Celtics are hoping for a return for Kevin Garnett and if that happens they could go after one of the players in free agency, but that could be tough with their financial situation. The team went 41-40 last season and ranked 18th in points per game while allowing the 12th least points per game on defense. The team is getting older and if Rondo can return healthy the Celtics may have one final run in them if they can add a player like Jefferson or Millsap.
The Jazz could end up in a tough spot if they lose the players, as they have some young talent but with those two being their biggest stars it could be an issue. The team was solid last season while going 43-39 and they came close to making the playoffs. The team has spoken with Jerry Sloan about coming back and after dealing with surgery to Marvin Williams they will have questions heading into the summer as well.