Boston Celtics Receive: C Jonas Valanciunas
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: F Aaron Nesmith, C Tristan Thompson, BOS 2021 1st Round Pick (Pick #16)
Prior to this season, the Celtics signed Tristan Thompson, but he has not been the answer for them at the center position, Robert Williams has emerged as ap potential starting center for the Celtics moving forward, but they would know what they are getting with Valanciunas, which is why they could look to pursue him in the offseason.
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This season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Valanciunas averaged 17.1 points, 12.5 rebounds, and shot 59.2% from the floor. He was one of the most underrated centers in the league this season and is a big part of why Memphis is taking on the Utah Jazz in the playoffs right now.
The Celtics need a tough-minded interior presence that can affect the game on both ends of the floor, which is exactly the kind of player Valanciunas is. Tristan Thompson is a really solid big man and played well given the circumstance with the shortened season and being thrown into a new role with the Celtics, but trading him in a package deal for Jonas Valanciunas would be a major upgrade for Boston.
On the other side of things, who knows what Memphis will want to do in the offseason and whether or not they will even want to trade Valanciunas! He has been one of the focal points of their team all season long and while they would be getting more young talent in rookie Aaron Nesmith and the 16th pick in this year’s draft, they could be one piece away from being a true threat in the Western Conference, so why shake things up now?
This is definitely an intriguing scenario for both teams and the Celtics could definitely benefit from adding a player like Jonas Valanciunas, but does this trade truly make sense for both teams?
