The Boston Celtics seem to be searching for center. They reportedly looked into trading for Dwight Howard, but a deal with Houston is unlikely to materialize. The need of a star player in the paint was apparent Tuesday night, as the Celtics lost to the Milwaukee Bucks, and were pounded down low by Greg Monroe all game long. Monroe finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks off the bench.
One center that Boston could trade for is Al Horford, who is reportedly on the trading block.
From Yahoo’s Chris Mannix(via CSNNE):
“I think Boston, Al Horford is a legitimate possibility for the Celtics,” Mannix said Tuesday on CSNNE. “I think that is one of the guys across the league that Danny Ainge is the most excited about. He is a four man that would fit right into what Boston is trying to do. It would cost a lot of money to re-sign him in the offseason, but I think Boston is willing to play it, because they haven’t paid a lot of money for players in recent years.”
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Despite Boston almost assuredly having interest in Horford, Mannix cautioned that if a deal does indeed happen, it likely won’t be until deadline day.
“Don’t get too pumped up right now, though. This is the silly season, when teams like Atlanta ask for ridiculous sums of draft picks and players to get a guy like Al Horford,” Mannix said on CSNNE. “Wait until February 18th, right around noon, that’s when things really get done. I do believe Boston is very much in the mix for Al Horford.”
Boston could be the team to get a deal done for Horford as they have a surplus of draft picks and young players.
Horford, who was named to the All-Star team last year, is averaging 15.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game this year, while shooting a .505/.335/.778.
