Several teams in the NBA have pinpointed their biggest need in free agency to be an elite defender. Several top big men are entering the open market this offseason and teams will be making big offers for their services. However, that market could be getting much smaller before free agency even begins. With Kevin Love likely off the table, is DeAndre Jordan joining him?
The Boston Celtics have been a team stressing they need a defender. General manager Danny Ainge told the media that getting a big man is a top priority. The team was immediately linked to Jordan when it appeared he could be bolting from the Los Angeles Clippers after a disappointing playoff exit. However, head coach Doc Rivers is making it clear that the center is going nowhere.
According to Arash Markazi of ESPN.com, Rivers is very confident that Jordan re-signs with the team as Los Angeles has the salary cap space to offer the center a max contract. The Clippers are already making moves to retain Jordan by trading Matt Barnes and Spencer Hawes to the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for Lance Stephenson. Getting rid of Hawes means Jordan is the man in 2015 at the center position. That is exactly what he wants and now the team has the cap space to give him the contract to go along with it.
If Jordan is truly off the market, the Celtics will be searching elsewhere for a big man. According to the JournalTimes.com, Greg Monroe is a top priority as he is expected to leave the Detroit Pistons. Monroe would be a quality addition to the Celtics roster as he is one of the more versatile big men on the market. According to the Boston Herald, Isaiah Thomas is still trying to recruit LaMarcus Aldridge to Boston despite reports that the Dallas Mavericks might have won that race. Marc Gasol or Brook Lopez could be options as well.
If certain players continue to be taken off the market, the Celtics will have no choice but to be aggressive in draft trades. According to the JournalTimes.com, the Celtics are dangling late first-round picks to move up the boards while A.Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com has the team linked to either Willie Cauley-Stein or Justise Winslow. Both players would require the Celtics to move into the lottery picks if they want someone of that talent. Brandon Bass or Jared Sullinger could get tossed into the trade package to sweeten the deal.
