If the Boston Celtics truly want to trade up in the NBA Draft, there will be casualties on the current roster. The Celtics have been hoarding draft picks and assets for the past few years as they now target this offseason as a major rebuilding time for them. That could include a jump up the draft boards from the No. 16 pick where they currently reside. If the Celtics move up, which players could become trade bait in the coming months?
According to A.Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com, the Celtics want to move up the boards with Willie Cauley-Stein as their intended target. The Celtics have targeted a defender as their biggest need this offseason and like the idea of grabbing the Kentucky star. Cauley-Stein will not be available at No. 16 which means a trade is necessary. So who can the Celtics offer?
According to HardwoodHoudini.com and the Boston Herald, Brandon Bass and Jared Sullinger might be the two best assets the Celtics have to offer a team. Bass is their best veteran who will shoot over 50 percent. His struggles reside mainly on defense and paint protection. Sullinger is not an ideal loss for the Celtics. He is only 23 and has become a great dynamic player which still struggling with the 3-point shot. Boston has depth as his position making him expendable.
Team sources report the only players deemed untouchable for the Celtics are Marcus Smart and Jae Crowder. Both players put together promising 2014-15 seasons. Smart did a solid job replacing Rondo while Crowder is a name on the rise. That means guys like James Young and Evan Turner are also up for grabs, but would have to be packaged with other players to interest any team.
Boston intends to be very active in the upcoming offseason. According to Yahoo Sports Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics have toyed with the idea of dealing Isaiah Thomas for Ty Lawson of the Denver Nuggets. They have also explored deals for players like DeMarcus Cousins while having their eyes on DeAndre Jordan, Greg Monroe and LaMarcus Aldridge. They are officially moving on from the Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rondo era and have all the pieces to make significant changes for the better in 2015.