After a slow start to the season, the Boston Celtics are on a roll. They've won 13-of-17 games and, at 32-23, have the third-best record in the East. But they're not resting on their laurels. The Celtics have been a player in many of the trade rumors circulating throughout the league.
NBA trade rumors 2016: The Celtics will only make a move if the price is right
General manager Danny Ainge isn’t going to mortgage the future in Boston for a few wins this season.
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
That doesn’t mean the Celtics are making any moves, however. General Manager Danny Ainge has his sights set on star players. The Celtics are only shaking up their roster if they can nab a difference maker.
“When I’m looking at players out there, I’m looking at players that can make a big difference,” Ainge told the Boston Herald’s Steve Bullpett. “Not players that can win us two games or anything like that. That’s not my objective.”
Ainge mentioned that he’s been pleased watching the team compete and beat some great teams, but he wants more. “Our objective is to put together a team that can compete for championships.”
The fact that the Celtics are in the third spot in the East is nice, but Ainge is more concerned with the outlook of the roster. Isaiah Thomas has turned into an All-Star in Boston, and he's surrounded by some great role players like Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder. Plus, with youngster Marcus Smart coming off the bench, the Celtics have a bright future.
But Ainge is always looking for ways to improve. “I look more at how we’re playing and where our holes are and what we need to do,” he said.
Whether that means making a move before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline is unclear.
Why the Celtics should make a big trade
Even though the Celtics have been playing great basketball of late, they don't have the roster to win a championship. If they could pick up a good player like Blake Griffin, then maybe they can hang with LeBron James and the Cavaliers. It's not the exact same situation, but the 2004 Detroit Pistons picked up Rasheed Wallace midway through the season and went on to win the championship. The Pistons only had to give up reserves and draft picks for the vociferous star.
The Celtics aren’t far away from competing for a win now, why not take a chance on trading for a star?
Why the Celtics shouldn’t make a big trade
What star are the Celtics going to trade for? They reportedly made a play for Griffin, but the Clippers forward is not on the block, according to Doc Rivers. Are they going to trade for an aging Dwight Howard or a possible rental in Al Horford? Horford is an unrestricted free agent next summer, and there's no guarantee he would re-sign with the Celtics.
Boston has rebuilt quickly and successfully after the Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo era. It is a young group with a superb young coach. Plus, it is currently looking like a team that could make its way to the Eastern Conference Finals. From there, the Celtics are a Cavaliers injury or a miracle series away from heading to the NBA Finals.
Under Brad Stevens, the Celtics have continued to improve. There is no reason to think they won’t continue on that trajectory this season and next with the young core they have in place.
Likeliness the Celtics will make a big trade (3/10)
The Celtics don’t want a rental, and they’re not going to send away their future unless it’s for a game changer. There is too much at stake for the future for the Celtics to make a big splash before the trade deadline.
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