The Boston Celtics are trying to make a few last-minute moves as the trade deadline is a mere hours away. The team has put themselves in a great position to make a few moves that could set them up for a great future as they are loaded with tradable assets and draft picks. The Celtics are getting linked to some big names at the deadline, but it remains to be seen if Danny Ainge is able to pull off any deals.
The Celtics are in need of getting cornerstone players back on the roster after dealing away Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green. The Celtics were being linked as a darkhorse to grab Goran Dragic in a trade with the Phoenix Suns, but now the team is reportedly favoring Isaiah Thomas who could be the cheaper player to acquire.
According to Yahoo! Sports, the Suns are actually favoring retaining Dragic and trading Thomas who signed a four-year, $28 million contract last season in a sign-and-trade with the Sacramento Kings. The Celtics were actually interested in Thomas the first time he was available, but never got the deal done and now they could aim to pull it off a second time if Phoenix is serious about trading him. Interest is so high in Dragic that Phoenix is requesting a first-round draft pick for the point guard, but Thomas would be cheaper.
Boston would be the ideal landing spot for Thomas who could really spark scoring for the team and help be a rebuilding piece for the future. The Celtics have rookie point guard Marcus Smart making an impact, but adding Thomas would give them a one-two punch. According to CSNNE.com, the Celtics would likely have to give up someone like Marcus Thornton while names like Brandon Bass and Jared Sullinger are also getting tossed around in deals.
The Celtics are also getting linked to a deal for DeMarcus Cousins, one that might be more wishful thinking than anything else. The idea Boston could pull off a deal with the Sacramento Kings is not as crazy as it sounds, but it is unclear if Cousins is really up for grabs. George Karl will come in and install an up-tempo offense which does not fit Cousins' style of play. The team could get a lot for the center, but could maintain him as a franchise player.
Boston has all the pieces to make this trade happen, the ball is really in Sacramento's court right now. With 11 draft picks stored up for the next three NBA drafts, Boston can give the Kings whatever they want. Sacramento is not going anywhere anytime soon and Cousins is currently eating up $16.5 million per year. Trading him to rebuild is not the worst idea.