The Boston Celtics are reportedly in the middle of every trade rumor ever. But while rumors are aplenty, actual trades have not happened nearly as often.
The Celtics have been connected to various stars over the last week. First, they were linked to Russell Westbrook, an impending free agent potentially on the way out because of Kevin Durant’s departure. Now it appears the Thunder are not yet willing to part with their superstar.
Boston also appeared in trade rumors for Blake Griffin, despite there not really being any reason for the Clippers to trade him. Since, there has been speculation (or potentially false leaks) about Griffin’s health.
While Boston is linked to these stars, their most likely trade target is apparently a sophomore center in Philadelphia.
Following from A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE:
The consensus among league executives spoken to by CSNNE.com is that the most likely trade for Boston will be one in which they wind up with Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor.
“From the moment Philly drafted Ben [Simmons], everyone around the league knew that they would have to trade a big, either Okafor or Nerlens [Noels],” an NBA scout told CSNNE.com. “Okafor is the better scorer; it’s not even close really. But Nerlens has that ability to run the floor and can protect the rim. Those two qualities . . . you can’t have enough guys in the frontcourt who call those two skills, strengths. That’s why Okafor is the more expendable player.”
The two teams were reportedly close to getting a deal done on draft night, and league sources claim both have kept the door ajar to getting a deal done between now and the start of training camp.
Philadelphia will almost certainly need to trade one of its big men at some point. They have far too many at this point to give them major minutes. Okafor seems to be the odd man out due to his slow, old-school game.
That being said, Okafor is an odd fit in Boston. The big man would almost certainly be relegated to the bench with Al Horford as the starting center.
Would the Celtics be willing to move assets for a young center who has not shown much outside of a post game and who would play 15-20 minutes per game? That seems like a tough pill to swallow.
There’s probably nothing to see regarding Jahlil Okafor going to the Celtics. That means there’s probably no moves on the horizon for the Celtics.
