Boston Celtics Receive: G Eric Bledsoe
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: F/C Tristan Thompson, G Romeo Langford, BOS 2021 2nd Round Pick (Pick #45), BOS 2022 2nd Round Pick
With Robert Williams emerging as a potential starting center for the Boston Celtics moving forward, as well as them acquiring both Al Horford and Moses Brown, the Celtics frontcourt is very crowded. Trading someone away to free up cap space seems logical, but they could move Tristan Thompson in a deal to get Bledsoe from the Pelicans.
Tristan Thompson signed a two-year, $18.9M deal with the Boston Celtics last offseason, but his role with the C’s this year did not seem that important. He only played in 54 games due to injuries and health protocols, averaging just 7.6 points and 8.1 rebounds.
New Orleans may not need another center, especially since they could look to unload Steven Adams this offseason as well, but Thompson could fit in quite well next to Zion Williamson in their frontcourt. Thompson has always been known to be a “bruiser” in the paint on both ends of the floor, which is precisely the kind of big man the Pelicans like to have.
Trading Thompson and his $9.7M contract for the 2021-22 season, as well as Romeo Langford and his $3.8M contract for next season allows the Celtics to create just enough room to acquire Eric Bledsoe in this hypothetical trade package.
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They would be taking on an extra $4.5M in salaries from Bledsoe’s $18.1M contract for next season, which would make bringing back Evan Fournier a lot more difficult, but again, this is a realistic option for the Celtics to explore and add more experienced talents to their roster.
He only averaged 12.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists this past season in New Orleans, but Eric Bledsoe is an experienced, veteran player who knows what it takes to win. Plus, he makes a difference defensively, which could create a really solid “one-two punch” on the defensive-end of the floor next to Marcus Smart.
However, does this trade truly make sense for both the Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans given both of their struggles? Let’s take a closer look at this trade from each team’s perspective.
