The Boston Celtics will look at both top free agents and also potential trade deals when it comes to improving the roster for the 2015-2016 season. The Celtics have a few contracts currently eating up the salary cap that they are hopeful to get rid of while a stockpile of draft picks could help get marquee players to Boston. So who will Brad Stevens and Danny Ainge be in play for when the offseason finally rolls around?
A.Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com reports that Boston has a very good chance of signing LaMarcus Aldridge, a deal that could also include inquiring the currently injured Wes Matthews. Aldridge is going to be a free agent this offseason and the Oregonian has already reported the forward is not expected to re-sign with the Portland Trail Blazers. Sources believe Aldridge would like to remain with Matthews, a deal that Boston has the salary cap space to make. The Trail Blazers have yet to truly comment on Matthews' status with the team for 2015 considering he ended the year with a torn Achilles. This type of deal is a lofty one for Boston, but certainly not out of the question.
Ainge is going to target the best. The Celtics only have around $40 million committed in salary next season according to Spotrac.com which gives them the right amount of flexibility to target big-named players. Obviously Aldridge is one of the best as he is considered a premier power forward. Matthews would be more of a toss in since he is not healthy and the Celtics do not know what will happen with that.
The interest in Aldridge comes after the Celtics have been linked to Kevin Love and trade deals for DeMarcus Cousins and Ty Lawson. The Boston Herald reported the Celtics are hoping they still stand a chance at acquiring Love even though they do not have Rajon Rondo on the roster any more. The Celtics have also considered offering up Isaiah Thomas for Lawson in a deal with the Denver Nuggets. With draft picks galore, anything is an option.
The Celtics will first try and trade away Gerald Wallace and his unwanted contract. Players like Marcus Smart, James Young and Jae Crowder. After that, no one is considered safe in Ainge's mind.
