The Boston Celtics are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference once again but could use another talented contributor for the NBA playoffs. It sounds as though they will be looking to do precisely that to give key players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown more help.
During a recent appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher and Rich, Danny Ainge expressed how the Celtics’ biggest need with the $28.5M trade exception is ‘shooting with size.’
There will be plenty of options for the Celtics, in general, when it comes to using their massive trade exception. They were recently connected to JJ Redick as being one of the few ‘serious suitors’ in the mix to potentially land him. However, that certainly wouldn’t match the criteria.
JJ Redick would be an intriguing trade target for the Celtics given his potential fit alongside Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kemba Walker. No team can have too much shooting, especially when playing in the same conference as the Brooklyn Nets.
The particular criteria that Ainge mentioned has some gray area that could impact who exactly the Celtics could purse. With the mention of wanting a ‘complete player’ who can ‘help defensive focus’, it sounds like Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers would be ideal. OKC Thunder’s Al Horford matches that description, too.
It remains to be seen who in particular the Boston Celtics will look to pursue at the NBA trade deadline. It was previously rumored that they didn’t want Myles Turner, but could his incredible start to the season defensively be enough to change their stance? If not Turner, then is it a bigger wing they are seeking?