We suggest one trade the LA Clippers could make with the Boston Celtics.
Once again, we attempt to find a trade for the LA Clippers with a team well-set in their roster and rotations in the Boston Celtics. The Celtics currently hold the third seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 43-21 and look to compete for a deep run in the NBA Playoffs once play resumes.
Boston’s roster features a nice balance of young stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, veteran leadership from Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward, and depth from quality role players such as Marcus Smart, Daniel Theis, Enes Kanter, Semi Ojeleye. The team also features Robert Williams III, Carsen Edwards, Romeo Langford, and Tacko Fall, a mix of intriguing young players with room to grow.
While the Celtics may be looking to move away from Gordon Hayward to allow their younger stars even more opportunities to shine, he wouldn’t make much sense for the Clippers to pursue based on both his max contract and his fit with the team. A trade for Kemba Walker (similar to our suggestion of a swap with the Raptors for Kyle Lowry) would bolster the Clippers at the point guard position but wouldn’t make much sense for Boston, as Walker is younger than Lowry and fits in with the Celtics timeline.
So, our trade suggestion today isn’t as exciting, it’s not much of a blockbuster move, but it does solve some depth issues for both teams for the near future.
Why we suggest this trade for the LA Clippers:
The Clippers are a team in danger of losing one of their most exciting role players. If Montrezl Harrell leaves this offseason, it will leave a major hole in the team’s frontcourt. We’re hoping that doesn’t happen, and the team does everything they can to retail Harrell come free agency, but this trade would protect them in the case that it does. Williams is averaging 4.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and .9 steals per game in just 14 minutes per night. The 22-year-old second-year center is also under a team-friendly contract through the 2021-22 season.
Would the Celtics do it?
The Celtics are in need of an upgrade to their point guard depth chart. Currently, the majority of their second-unit minutes at the position are taken by 30-year-old, second-year player Brad Wanamaker. Landry Shamet would give them a more versatile option who is further along in his development than rookie Carsen Edwards. The Celtics are a tough team to make a deal with, but giving them the option to get a better back-up point guard that can make an impact right away might be something that can pique their interest. Giving up Shamet would hurt, but the Clippers may have a glaring need in their frontcourt if things don’t go their way this offseason.
Read the rest of our “One Trade with every Team” series here:
Pacific Division: Lakers, Warriors, Kings, Suns
Northwest Division: Nuggets, Jazz, Thunder, Blazers, Timberwolves
Southwest Division: Rockets, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Spurs
Atlantic Division: Raptors, Celtics, 76ers, Nets, Knicks
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