Boston Celtics have made deals this season to do two things for their future. Clear up cap space and stockpile draft picks for the future.
They traded away their 2 best players in the deals with Rajon Rondo going to the Dallas Mavericks and then sent away Jeff Green to the Memphis Grizzlies. They finally made a deal to acquire Isaiah Thomas from the Phoenix Suns.
Yet, despite their efforts to get rid of talent, the Celtics are still in the hunt for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
While the tank might have backfired to an extent, the Celtics may still be looking towards this upcoming summer as one that will begin a new change in direction for the franchise. Two names that might be on top of their list include a pair of big forwards.
Following from Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.
The Celtics have a ton of cash and are geared up to use it. Target number one is Kevin Love. Target number two is Greg Monroe.
Sources close to the process say the Celtics plan to swing for the proverbial fences this summer including runs at Gasol, Leonard and Butler too.
Boston trying to land Kevin Love or Greg Monroe sounds like it would be difficult but Danny Ainge isn’t one to just give up when he wants something.
Landing guys like Kawhi Leonard, Marc Gasol or Jimmy Butler would all be more difficult than the 2 big forwards the Celtics reportedly have on top of their list. Butler and Leonard are restricted free agents and it would be very hard to see Gasol leaving Memphis, a town he grew up in.
It would hard to see Love not staying with the Cavaliers but it absolutely does make sense for Love to opt out. And once he opts out, that opens the door for other teams to make their pitches. The Celtics could sell Love on their young roster and stockpile of future first-round picks to eventually provide reinforcements for Love and whatever pieces stick around.
They’ll likely have much better luck stealing Monroe from Detroit. Monroe says he is open to re-sign with Detroit but essentially had one foot out the door when he accepted the Pistons’ qualifying offer. Besides that, he would fit very well next to the Celtics’ young stretch big men in Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk. The only problem with that trio would be the lack of interior defense they would have.
