The Celtics are focused on landing “an All-Star caliber talent” in the front court, multiples sources tell A. Sherrod Blakely of Comcast Sportsnet. Blakely adds that Gordon Hayward remains a target, but he’s likely to re-sign with the Jazz this summer.
Blake Griffin could be another target. The power forward is expected to re-sign with the Clippers, but he would be a good fit alongside Al Horford if Boston can convince him to sign with the team. Horford, who signed a four-year deal with the Celtics last offseason, is excited to see where the franchise goes this year.
“We had such a good year. A lot of positive things. It’ll be interesting to see what Danny [Ainge], the organization feels is going to be the next step,” Horford
Ainge could always make a trade to bring in talent, but Blakely notes that he’s more inclined to make major additions via the draft and free agency. Several of the team’s players have faith that the front office will make the right moves this summer.
“It’s always a good thing when you have the opportunity to add value to your team and don’t have to change your team too much,” said Gerald Green, who will be a free agent this summer. “I’m going to be very interested to see what they do as far as building a team. We’re in a good place right now as far as being where we want to be organization-wise. I feel like we’re one or two steps away from actually being at the Finals. I think Danny has some things to think about, but I’m sure he’s going to do the job. I’ve seen Danny go to work in these situations. He always makes the team better. I’m pretty sure he’s got something planned that, at the end of the day, is going to make this organization better.”
Blakely adds that the team could look to extend Isaiah Thomas this offseason rather than waiting until the point guard is a free agent in 2018. Thomas sounds like Boston is a place he doesn’t want to leave.
“Boston’s changed my career, changed my life,” Thomas said. “I would love to be here long-term and win championships here. But as you guys know, it’s a business and anything can happen. I know that and understand that. But I would love to be here. This has been everything to me. This city, this organization … it’s been good.”
Well outside of Griffin and Millsap, I’m not sure who Ainge could get this offseason. Ainge could maybe bring in Drummond via trade, but I don’t see a match there. Bigs are kind of a premium and I don’t know if any team will part with a big. I know Yabusele and Zizic should come over next year, but we have to remember those two will only be rookies.
Celtics messed up a lil, I think Noel for Rozier would have benefited them more than doing nothing. The paint was wide open against the Cavs. You have two players in Kyrie and LeBron that live in the paint, but no rim protector. Olynyk is not a defensive stalwart.
Noel would have killed their cap space moving forward and still hasn’t shown that he can be a dominant starter
They would be smarter to save their money not waste it on Blake if they can get Hayward do it but besides him save the money. Trade Thomas for a young big, another decent player and a pick. Draft fultz let him there PG of the future. And maybe swing a trade for butler.
Sign Hayward. Then trade the #1, Crowder, Zeller, and Johnson for Porzingis or Drummond
The #1 and crowder would be too much. If we sign hayward, then we give them crowder, zeller, johnson , and a 2018 pick (not the nets) for drummond.
Money wise #1 for Porzingis would work and not be a bad trade for either team. I’m not sure Boston would want to give up #1 and Crowder for Porzingis. Maybe they would deal Yubasele or their own ’18 pick instead.
I’m a frustrated Pistons fan, whose disappointed with Drummond, be he is still a 7 foot athletic big man, with untapped potential. There is no way the piston will trade him for anything outside of this years number 1, crowder, and something else. Nobody wants Johnson or Zeller. Big man don’t just grow on trees. If they can’t get that, he will stay a Piston.
No way the Pistons trade Drummond for Zeller, Johnson and the non nets pick. That’s a horrible trade. If we are thinking realistically, it would need to start with this years pick and Crowder to even interest the Pistons.
I personally think they can get him without this years number one but probably next yrs and Smart/Rozier Bradley and KO with Zeller to make the money work
Yawn. Been hearing this for years. Celtics to get Griffin, Carmelo, Demarcus, etc., etc., etc.
It pains me to say this but I think we need to continue with the younger guys and let Cleveland and Golden State get older. We have a team of mediocre players that Celtic fans fall in love with. Crowder is a nice player but to say he is untouchable like they did last year is foolish. Just going out and getting Butler, or George, or UGGGH Carmelo Anthony maybe prolongs the series a game but we are still not beating Cleveland. I don’t see a lot of realistic options for Danny that get us out of the East.
Boston shouldn’t waste their money on Blake “potato chip” Griffin unless they want to watch their money rot in a three-piece suit sitting courtside.