Why this trade makes sense for the Boston Celtics

The biggest problem with the Boston Celtics over the years is that their frontcourt has been a mess and they have had no reliable secondary talent around their superstar players. Outside of Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, this team has virtually no reliable scoring options and this has negatively affected their chances for success. 

Giving up Tristan Thompson, after just one season, who definitely hurt the Celtics rebounding on both ends of the court, but Robert Williams has emerged as a great, young center. He is averaging 8.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this season, but since the start of March, Williams has stepped up into a much bigger role and has averaged 11.1 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. 

Robert Williams has a chance to be this team’s starting center moving forward and with Tatum, Brown and Barnes all having the ability to grab 5+ rebounds per game, the Celtics would be able to make up for the loss of Tristan Thompson’s production rebounding the basketball. 

Overall, sending out Romeo Langford, who has barely played in the NBA due to numerous injuries, two second-round picks and a veteran player in Thompson in the final year of his contract for a key role player who can help your team potentially win a championship in Harrison Barnes is very much worthwhile. 

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Thompson is not worth the $9.7M he is owed next season, which is why trading his contract away for Barnes’ is worth it because Barnes can help be the difference in the Celtics making the NBA Finals whereas Thompson cannot. 

Boston was interested in adding Harrison Barnes to their roster ahead of this year’s NBA trade deadline and that interest in him should carry over to the offseason, especially if the Celtics see an early exit in the postseason.