CELTICS RELOAD TO PREPARE FOR TATUM'S RETURN
These trades do not seem like we're getting much for giving up our major pieces Jrue and Hauser, but the way their value is now, these are some of the best the Celtics can possibly get.
This is completely just how I will rebuild the Celtics, I'm no Brad Stevens but I think this is one of the best case scenario if we want to avoid being under the second apron.
I'll walk you through step by step on what I would do first and why would I agree on such transaction.
STEP 1: TRADE JRUE HOLIDAY AND HAUSER
This kind of sucks for me as a Celtics fan because Jrue is one of my favorite players. He just wins and he was a very crucial part of the Celtics winning the chip. His defense on Haliburton, that clutch steal on Nembhard, and especially, his winning plays that's not seen in the stat sheet.
With that being said, it's no question that Jrue is the odd man out. He's already 34, earning 35-37 milly a year.
Payton Pritchard could replace him in the starting lineup and see if him being a starter will take him to a new level.
In this trade that I like and I see beneficial for all teams, Celtics get Jacquez, a promising young player who is just like Jrue, a winner. I've been a fan of him since his rookie season and with all the rumors surrounding him and the Heat, his recent falloff from the rotation, his value is a bit low. The Celtics grab this opportunity and try to develop him as a key role player for them.
We give up Hauser too though, which I would be fine with. Kings get him since they need shooting around Domas.
STEP 2: DRAFTING
Not only did we trade for Jacquez, but we also move up in the draft. Now, we have 2 draft picks: 20 and 32.
Ideally, I would be okay to draft:
At 20
Rasheer Fleming
Cedric Coward
Jase Richardson
Yaxel Lendeborg
Walter Clayton Jr
At 32
Maxime Raynaud
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Kam Jones
Yanik Konan Niederhauser
Noah Penda
Tyrese Proctor
These prospects were picked based on how I see them fitting on the team, while not overlooking their potential and talent.
STEP 3: SIGN A BACKUP PG AND CENTER
Tyus Jones is one that immediately popped in my mind. A decent true PG that makes everyone around him better. Had a somewhat below-standard season in Phoenix and I expect no one will pay him more than 3-5 million.
Kornet is what I have in mind when talking about a backup center. Good locker room guy, decent defender and rim protector, does the intangibles. would love to see him again in green.
Al Horford
STEP 4 (OPTIONAL): SIGN AND TRADE KUMINGA
If you notice, I did not trade Kristaps. Because If we do trade him, we leave a hole at the center. He's not only just a center, but a 7'3 one that protects the rim at a high level, a stretch four/five that shoots at Curry range, and a center that if hot, no one is blocking or stopping him. Everyone seems to forget how clutch he was during that Mavs series lol but I get why
I would trade him though at the right price, but with his value tanked, I don't see that Celtics will get a haul for him.
I would trade him though for Kuminga, a young player with tons of upside who when developed, could fit in easily with Brown and Tatum. but then I would leave the Center spot open, so I would maybe try and get Adams or Capela at a low price, if possible.
MY IDEAL LINEUP FOR NEXT SEASON WOULD BE:
STARTERS:
Payton Pritchard
Derrick White
Jaylen Brown
Rasheer Fleming
Kristaps Porzingis
BENCH: