The NBA trade deadline is just around the corner which means the Boston Celtics are getting tossed into every trade deal imaginable. The Celtics are to perfect landing spot for a number of big names considering their stashed draft picks and roster assets. With Danny Ainge still looking for that max-contract player to put on the court next year, a trade could be an easy way to get it done. Could the Celtics eye Blake Griffin who is quickly falling out of favor with the Los Angeles?
According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, the Clippers could make Griffin available in a trade before the deadline considering all of the issues surrounding the forward. Griffin is out with a broken hand following a punch thrown at a team employee. It was then reported Griffin has lost respect of the team locker room which has caused trade rumors to follow. To be clear, the Clippers have not stated that Griffin is available in a trade, but Lowe believes it is a likely option with a solid trade package.
Lowe details the need to trade Griffin now and not later. The Clippers are winning without him on the court, but the one thing holding them back is poor play from their bench. That is where a trade comes into play and potentially one with the Celtics. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Celtics are open to trades as usual with everyone outside of Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart being available. Trading someone like Jae Crowder, Avery Bradley or Tyler Zeller could get the Celtics Griffin along with a draft pick or two sprinkled in.
The Celtics have been linked to a number of trades this offseason. Wojnarowski linked the team to Love who has reportedly been taken off the market by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports reports that the Celtics have discussed a deal for Al Horford. The Los Angeles Lakers have a targeted the Celtics for a Roy Hibbert, David Lee swap. The team has options in front of them if they decide to make a move.
The Celtics want a big name on the roster and so far they have failed at getting one. With the pieces in place to get a trade at the deadline, they could get their marquee player that way or hope to strike a deal in the offseason. Boston does not necessarily need to make a trade right now. The Celtics remain a dark horse in the Eastern Conference. Thomas and Smart are playing well together and could carry the team into the playoffs. While they are not a championship team, they do not have to break down the roster just yet in order to get a deal.