The NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching which means the Boston Celtics are getting linked in with every potential deal available. The Celtics are loaded with draft picks and assets and while they have held off on making potential trades in the past, this year might be different. According to sources, the Celtics want a veteran to add to their youth and they could get aggressive in achieving that goal.
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Celtics are among the most aggressive teams right now at the trade deadline. Stein reports the team wants a "veteran difference maker" and with favorable assets on the roster, they might just be able to get a deal done before heading into the All-Star break. Team president Danny Ainge remained coy on the idea only to say the team was exploring options.
"The only thing I would say about that is, it depends on the player, depends on his age and the probability of us re-signing him. I would take a chance to get a player in that was so special -- I might take that chance. Most of the time I would say no," Ainge said, via 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich. "Most of the time it depends on what you're giving up. If you're risking very little it might be worth it, but I would never risk a lot if there wasn't a chance (to re-sign them), unless they were one of the top four or five players in the league."
Stein linked the Celtics to the Atlanta Hawks in a deal for Al Horford. The Celtics have been chasing an elite big man for a year now and after getting denied for deals involving players like DeMarcus Cousins and LaMarcus Aldridge, Horford could be the intended target. The center could be expensive. It could cause the Celtics to part with players they are not willing to give up. Jae Crowder would be a target along with someone like Tyler Zeller. The Celtics want to offer up players like David Lee and Jared Sullinger who are no use to Atlanta.
The Celtics were linked to a deal involving Blake Griffin, again seeing them give up a player like Crowder. According to the Los Angeles Times, despite the injuries and suspension, the Clippers are not rushing to trade Griffin. They believe that in the short-term they are better with him than without him. That could change once the offseason gets here, but for now Griffin stays put.
The Celtics could target players like Kenneth Faried, Tobias Harris, Timofey Movgov or Roy Hibbert at the deadline. While some of those players might not be considered a difference marker, they could add nice depth for Boston. Ainge is used to getting linked into trade deals. The team could be more aggressive this season, but if he is unwilling to part with some of the youth on the roster then a trade will not get done.
