Size will always matter in the NBA. Sure, small ball is popular. The best teams are versatile. Still, they can’t afford to neglect size altogether. Eventually, that’s likely to catch up to them,
The Boston Celtics seem to be aware of this. This team has been prioritizing size in recent years. The Celtics are big at almost every position. It’s been a winning formula. This core group has made plenty of deep playoff runs. A couple of seasons ago, they even advanced to the NBA Finals.
This summer, they got bigger. The Celtics traded Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis. Could they look to get even bigger? If so, could they acquire Jonas Valanciunas from the New Orleans Pelicans?
The Trade Proposal
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: F/C Al Horford, G Payton Pritchard
Boston Celtics Receive: C Jonas Valanciunas
Others will argue that your roster’s size is a secondary concern. Big ball, small ball, medium ball – it doesn’t matter. Talent reigns supreme. If you don’t have a talented enough roster, it doesn’t matter how it’s constructed.
Fair enough. Yet, even talent isn’t the only thing that matters. Look at the Pelicans. Between Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum, they’ve got ample talent. The Pelicans even have quality surrounding pieces around their offensive stars. Unfortunately for the Pelicans, durability matters as well.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans & Boston Celtics Updates
Williamson cannot stay healthy. Even if Ingram has some injury concerns. If the Pelicans can’t stay healthy, it won’t matter how much talent they have. Let’s assume that they enjoy some injury luck this season. Is this a good return for Valanciunas?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
Meanwhile, it’s been reported that the Pelicans are looking for a defensive big man. Valanciunas’ offensively minded game is superfluous with the rest of this roster. The Pelicans could use a different look at the 5 position.
Horford would provide one. He’s aging, but he still holds his defensive value. Horford is a component rim protector who can survive in space. He’s also a crafty veteran whose ability to communicate will get this whole roster on the same page defensively. Horford is the type of big man that the Pelicans seem to covet.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans & Boston Celtics Updates
Yes, he’s old. That’s fine. The Pelicans will have two first-round picks in the next draft. Horford can be a placeholder until the Pelicans target their big man of the future. In the meantime, Pritchard is the youngest player in this deal, and he’s a useful floor spacer. Should the Celtics part with him?
Why The Boston Celtics Do The Deal
For Boston, a lot of this rides on Robert Williams III. If he can’t stay healthy, they may regret losing Horford. With both gone, they don’t necessarily have a switchable big man on their roster. Porzingis has some defensive value, but he’s mostly a stationary rim protector.
So, this is a risk. Still, the payoff could be enormous. A lineup featuring Valanciunas at the 5 with Porzingis at the 4 could overwhelm opponents with size. They’d also maintain five-out floor spacing. If Boston really does like size, they should like this deal. After all, Valanciunas is huge.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans & Boston Celtics Updates
He’s also a more impactful offensive player than Horford at this stage of his career. Valanciunas is a better shooter, a more consistent pick-and-roll finisher, and a more dominant inside scorer. If Boston can stay healthy, they’ll have one of the most diverse big man rotations in the NBA. That’s a recipe for success.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
