Should The Boston Celtics Make A Huge Trade?
Oct 27, 2018; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles past Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Celtics are one of the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals and that’s still with the early season struggles. A team that features Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, and Gordon Hayward should be sitting atop the standings. However, someting is not quite clicking.
It’s time for Danny Ainge to change things up. But how?
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The Celtics first order of business is to find someone to take the contract of Hayward off their hands. Before his injury, Hayward was once one of the best SF’s in the NBA. However, since recovering from that horrific ankle injury, Hayward has played more like Robert Covington than the former All-Star he is.
On the season, Hayward is averaging 11.1 points per game in 26.7 minutes. If Ainge could somehow swing a deal with another team like the Miami Heat for Hassan Whiteside then Ainge should really consider that.
What this does is provide Boston with the defensive anchor that’s been missing in the post. With Irving labeled as a steady defender, paired with Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart in the backcourt, Whiteside will be the last line of defense for a team ranked 2nd in total defense but still lacking a true rim protector.
Horford (12.3 points, 6.2 rebounds) has been steady but Whiteside is averaging 2.6 blocks to go along with 12.9 points and 12.8 rebounds in 26.3 minutes. There’s no secret his time in Miami has been marred with controversy regarding his current standing and future with the team.
If Ainge is willing to part with Hayward, Terry Rozier, and Horford, this could be a deal worth looking into if the Heat were to throw in Tyler Johnson and Dion Waiters. While fans will balk at what Ainge is giving up, a deal like this offers more roster flexibility.
Firstly, this will solve the issue of trying to resign Rozier. It will also shed the Celtics of two large contracts in Horford ($30 million) and Hayward ($64 million). The good part about
On the other side of the coin is Hassan Whiteside. He’s on the books for the Heat until 2020 but has a Player Option of his own in 2019 for $27 million. The numbers will fit for each team but it will be Boston who walks away from the trade a clear winner.
The Heat are in the midst of a rebuild, but adding veteran leadership from Hayward and Horford could be missing links to put them into the top 5 in the East. For Boston, adding Whiteside and two shooters in Johnson and Waiters will give them better spacing for Irving, Brown, and Tatum to attack off the dribble.
By ridding themselves of Hayward, it will allow Brad Stevenson to unleash his young guns just as he did last season. Too much talent is often viewed as a good thing but for the Celtics, it’s hurting their chances to win a championship. No matter what happens, this Celtics’ team will remain loaded from top to bottom.
If the Boston Celtics are to make it past the Toronto Raptors, they will need to shed some of that star power they have and get quality role players at a cheaper price. It sounds foolish when you look at the Golden State Warriors but even they will have to pay the price for winning this season.
Ainge has made smart moves in the past and by trading Gordon Hayward and Al Horford for Hassan Whiteside, this may prove to be one of, if not his best one to date.
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
