The Boston Celtics had a great run until the Atlanta Hawks brought that to an end. Everyone in a Celtics jersey contributed, making the playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, very exciting for all fans. Now Danny Ainge must start thinking about their plans for the offseason.
In preparation for next season, Danny Ainge needs to go out and find a player that will complement the other pieces that made up the 2015-2016 roster. Everyone knows this to be true, so why doesn’t Ainge make a big move? Let’s stop talking about Kevin Love. Let’s stop talking about Kevin Durant, too while we are at it. Honestly, I am sick of the radioheads, and the callers that love them, drop Love’s and Durant’s names all over the place when it is unlikely they will be flying into Logan Airport anytime soon. These two players are “big moves’ but not the right moves.
Ultimately, the team needs to find someone that will improve on their weaknesses. Here, in broad strokes, is what the wheelers and dealers in Boston should do before October.
Rebounding (offensive and defensive)
There were many a night, this year, that I sat on my couch yelling “Rebound” or “Get in the Paint.” Rebounds are tough in defensive situations when one may be playing man-to-man or might be stuck in a zone. Said rebounder must get the ball and either pass or run the back quickly and efficiently to transition into the best offensive alignment to score. Offensively, they need a player fast enough to get under the hoop once it has been released by a shooter so they have another opportunity to put points on the board before the shot clock runs out.
Backcourt Shooter
Isaiah Thomas is a great player that proved he can lead this team with his ability to blaze a trail to the basket. He is not a guy that goes for a ton of three pointers, or even takes a risk shooting from outside the paint. A strong, reliable shooter in the mold of former Celtic, Ray Allen, or today’s Steph Curry, may be the catalyst this team needs.
A More Natural, Consistent Leader
The Celtics have been successful with a team-based approach, more so than we ever expected, during the 2015-2016 season. Coach Brad Stevens counts on one of his players to step up each night to lead the team. In basketball, it is crucial that the coach orchestrates a strong strategy that fits the skills of each of its players. Stevens has adjusted well when he sees a player coming through strong in the clutch during a game. Marcus Smart was that man in game 4 in the series against Atlanta. Wouldn’t it be easier to know you have a reliable guy, a veteran player, to turn to throughout the season?
Which players can the Boston Celtics trade for to meet these needs?
Rumors continue to swirl around the possibility of Kevin Durant coming to Boston. Ainge said of Durant, “Sure. I think that if there’s a guy that you really want, and there’s someone you may have to overpay a little bit to get that person. I think anybody would do that.” I just do not see Ainge going for Durant. Sources who closely report on the team feel that Ainge has made big moves, but I disagree. I think he has been conservative and overly concerned about the salary cap.
Which leaves us with the best, and more likely, option Jahlil Okafor. Okafor. Last week on 98.6 The Sports Hub, Boston, Bill Simmons said that Okafor is the guy the Celtics should go for over Durant. Okafor is a 6’11”, Center, currently with the Philadelphia 76ers. He averages around 30 minutes per game and had over 373 rebounds and 61 blocks last season. Will that be enough given that he is not the offensive powerhouse that the Celtics need? Okafor’s field goal percentage is around 50 percent and scores around 17 points per game. Another challenge is Okafor’s recovery from a knee injury. Thankfully, he will be able to get back on the court in June.
Is it worth trading the 2016 number 3 draft pick that the Celtics hold for Okafor? Or should they try their luck with the likes of 18-year old Dragan Bender, a seven-foot, power forward from Tel Aviv. Representatives from the Celtics traveled to Israel to watch Bender compete in a game. According to reports, Celtics brass love what they witnessed before them, despite his 13.5 average points per game and youth.
As usual, there are still so many questions. I think that is how Ainge likes it, he plays it pretty close to the vest. He keeps the fans guessing because he knows how much we love to talk.
What do you think this Celtics team needs?
