On Tuesday I presented a quick case on why the Celtics should stand pat at the NBA trade deadline. Today I’ll present the counterargument, borrowing some text from our friends around the interwebs.
For example, Brian Robb suggests that this team is too good to not push all our chips into the table for a title run.
It’s not a perfect team but it certainly is the most well-rounded title contender this franchise has seen in a decade. With the buy-in evident across the team’s star power with sacrifice occurring up and down the roster, it’s on Brad Stevens and the Celtics front office now to double down with this group. The biggest obstacle this team may have right now in pursuing an NBA title could be itself particularly when it comes to injuries. For that reason, it’s on this team’s brass to seize the moment and put safeguards in place to maximize the title window this season and reduce that risk.
That is a very valid and convincing point. This team has a ton of talent but several players have a history of injuries. Losing anyone for a prolonged period of time could put the team in a difficult position. It would be huge to maintain the top seed headed into the playoffs as any advantage could help. The role players deeper on the bench are fine for situational needs and short stints. Beyond that and their weaknesses would show, in particular in the playoffs.
So how would Brad Stevens go about adding to this roster? The most obvious path is using the $6.2M TPE created by Grant Williams this offseason.
Jay King suggests taking a look at Saddiq Bey. He also offers up a few more names to consider.
Some other TPE targets would be at least mildly intriguing. Not many first-round picks get moved with one and a half years left on their rookie contracts, but if the dreadful Washington Wizards listen to offers for Corey Kispert, his sharpshooting could help somewhere else. Kris Dunn, a quality perimeter defender on an expiring contract, could be available if the Utah Jazz don’t see him as part of their future. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported John Konchar as a possible Celtics target, though the Grizzlies could be hesitant to move anyone if they start charging up the standings with Ja Morant now available.
As always with these things the answer really comes down to price. If the Celtics can add a valuable player without having to give up too much in return (and the player is worth the exponential tax bill) then they should pull the trigger and push their chips in.
Perhaps the point is that Brad’s risk tolerance might be higher this year so he might be willing to put up draft capital that he normally wouldn’t (he certainly hasn’t been shy about trading picks in the past).
Trades are hard to find and folks like Woj are predicting a pretty quiet trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean that Stevens shouldn’t be looking under every rock for a way to give this team any advantage they can get.
