The Boston Celtics had a surprising season while making the playoffs and now this summer the team hopes to make a splash, as DeMarcus Cousins trade could be a target along with a deal for Ty Lawson if the team looks at trading Isaiah Thomas and Danny Ainge also could go after big name free agents like Kevin Love, Greg Monroe and Marc Gasol in free agency.
The Celtics won 40 games with brad Stevens last season and they impressed many in the NBA by making the playoffs, even in the weak eastern conference. The rebuilding process is starting to show results for Ainge and now he could be ready to add some bigger names to the mix. The team just drafted Marcus Smart and they also have Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk and Jared Sullinger and moving forward the Celtics could target Cousins.
According to NESN.com, Pro Basketball Talk and Sam Smith from Bulls.com, the Celtics are rumored to be interested in Cousins and may look at trading for him this offseason. Cousins averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds this season and he made his first All-Star team. Cousins came up in trade rumors earlier in the season, but the Kings shot those down and now deal ever came close to happening. Cousins has established himself as one of the top big men in the league and it likely would take a strong package to get him.
According to CSN California, the Kings are not interested in trading Cousins, but Marc Stein at ESPN reports that the team would listen to offers if high draft picks were involved. Stein added that the Celtics have Isaiah Thomas, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, and Gerald Wallace's contract to use in trade deals along with a nice stable of draft picks. Zach Lowe at Grantland writes that Lawson is a target for the Celtics, as they were interested in a deal at the deadline for the guard. Lawson is set to make $12,404,495 this season.
Thomas could be an option to get moved, as he put up solid numbers with the Celtics and has a manageable contract that could be packaged. The kings previously had Thomas, so they may not want to go that route, but if the Celtics are really interested in Lawson, they could use Thomas in that deal. Thomas averaged 19 points and 5.4 assists last season and he previously signed a four-year, $28 million contract with the Suns.
The Celtics are well-positioned for making a big trade this offseason, as Pro Basketball Talk points out that the team has double digit draft picks spread over the next four years. The team has been amassing first and second round picks for a couple years now and they have stockpiled a package of picks that they could use to get a player like Cousins.
Some of the picks will turn into second round picks depending on how teams finish, but the number of selections gives Danny Ainge some flexibility in making trades. The Knicks also could be in the mix for Monroe, Love and other top free agents that the Celtics chase, as they will have a ton of money to spend in free agency as well.
