Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics need to make a big move at the trade deadline this season if they are to remain relevant as possible contenders in the Eastern Conference. Currently 26-25 on the season, there has been no stability on this roster outside of Tatum and Brown, which has led to the Celtics having the 20th rated offense in the league.
Dennis Schroder is expected to get dealt at the trade deadline and with the Celtics having numerous trade exceptions to utilize, it appears as if Boston may look to add a handful of secondary talen to their roster.
However, the need for a third star still looms large over this franchise, especially with the Nets, Heat, Bucks and Bulls all having “Big 3s” in the Eastern Conference this season.
Boston ranks just 23rd in the league in three-point shooting this season and right now, their backcourt is a mess with Marcus Smart, Dennis Schroder and Payton Pritchard. After trading Kemba Walker in the offseason, the Celtics were left with no reliable ball-handler outside of Tatum and Brown, which is why Boston needs CJ McCollum.
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Not only can he improve their three-point shooting depth, but McCollum has proven to be an effective playmaker for his teammates this season in Portland.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown can only do so much for this team and unless they add another star-like player, it is hard to envision this team making it past the Eastern Conference Semifinals this season, assuming they even make the playoffs given that they are currently the 9-seed in the East!
Trading for CJ McCollum and his $30.8M contract this season would not be easy for Boston, but they could potentially make the money work if Portland is willing to take back some salaries, as well as if Boston can get more teams involved in this trade for salary relief.
Marcus Smart would most likely be on the move to Portland given how bad the Blazers are defensively and the Boston Celtics have a handful of young talents that they could leverage for McCollum.
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Aaron Nesmith, Romeo Langford, Payton Pritchard and both newly acquired pieces in Bol Bol and P.J. Dozier could be traded in a deal for CJ McCollum and the Boston Celtics could also look to acquire Robert Covington as well using their $17.1M trade exception.
Not to mention, the Boston Celtics have all of their first-round picks through 2028 and some second-round picks that they could offer up in a big offer for CJ McCollum at the trade deadline.
Boston can mix-and-match with the talents on their roster in a trade scenario for McCollum this season and given their trade exceptions, they could continue to add more talent around Tatum and Brown as well.
