Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
Rumors continue to link the Boston Celtics with a string of starting-level big men, ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Brad Stevens allowed Luke Kornet and Al Horford to leave in free agency last summer. He also sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks via trade. All three of those moves were made with cost-cutting measures in mind.
However, with the Celtics now sitting second in the Eastern Conference, now might be the right time to bolster Boston’s center rotation. That is, if the right player becomes available on the trade market.
And, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Nikola Vucevic is not the right player, as Stevens recently declined a trade offer from the Chicago Bulls.
“Earlier this season, well before Boston surged into second place in the East, the Chicago Bulls inquired on the possibility of trading center Nikola Vucevic for Simons and a Celtics first-round pick, which would have lowered Boston’s tax bill, but the Celtics weren’t interested, league sources told HoopsHype.”
In fairness, trading both Anfernee Simons and a future draft pick for a 35-year-old big man on an expiring deal would have been an overpay. Chicago could easily have countered by lowering their asking price to a second-round pick, perhaps with protections.
Nikola Vucevic Doesn’t Make Sense For The Celtics
For the entirety of the Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown era, the Celtics have been built around a versatile defensive identity. Sure, under Mazzulla, they’re taking a ton of three-point shots. But if you go back and watch the news conferences, defense is always the focus point.
Unfortunately for Vucevic, defense isn’t his strong suit. Offensively, he’s excellent. He can screen, stretch the floor and attack all three levels. Furthermore, nobody will deny the impact he makes on both the offensive and defensive glass.
However, he isn’t the player you rely on to get stops. And in the Celtics defensive system, everybody has to be capable of shutting down an opposing offense.
Celtics Reportedly Failed To Land Ivica Zubac
Despite turning down the option to acquire Vucevic, Stevens appears to have been busy in the hunt for upgrades. According to Scotto, Boston was unsuccessful in a trade offer for Ivica Zubac earlier this season.
“If there was a notable center upgrade that could be attained while using Simons’ expiring contract, it could appeal to the Celtics,” Scotto reported. “When the Clippers were struggling with a 6-21 record to begin the season, the Celtics inquired about an exploratory framework around Simons, a first-round pick, and a future first-round pick swap for Ivica Zubac and salary filler, which didn’t gain any traction, league sources told HoopsHype.”
Zubac would have been an ideal fit for the Celtics. If the Clippers aren’t willing to part with their starting center, the Celtics will need to pivot. Daniel Gafford, Yves Missi and Day’Ron Sharpe have all been floated as alternative options.
Boston may also look to add some depth to its guard rotation. After all, if one of Payton Pritchard, Derrick White or Simons suffers an injury, the depth chart will look pretty bleak.
The Celtics have a lot to figure out ahead of Feb. 5. But a potentially deep postseason run is on the horizon. It will be fun to see what they decide to do at the trade deadline.