Celtics Trade Rumors: Boston Chasing 3rd Star to Pair with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown

Tim Daniels @@TimDanielsBRFeatured Columnist IVDecember 16, 2021

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 21: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum #0 talk against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on February 21, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

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The Boston Celtics are reportedly surveying the trade market in search of a third star to play alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Matt Moore of the Action Network reported Wednesday the Celtics are seeking potential upgrades to their current roster and are not trying to move Brown, despite recent speculation.

"If you're trading Brown, you're still probably trading low on him, that's the wild part," an NBA executive told Moore. "That front office doesn't have a history of trading assets early."

Boston has been stuck in neutral for much of the 2021-22 campaign. It owns a 14-14 record and hasn't been able to build a winning streak longer than three games.

Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported Saturday on SiriusXM NBA Radio the lackluster start after being eliminated in the first round of last season's playoffs could mark the "beginning of the end" for the Tatum-Brown pairing, though a deal isn't imminent:

SiriusXM NBA Radio @SiriusXMNBA
The Suns took care of the Celtics last night, sending them to a 13-14 record.<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeLFischer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JakeLFischer</a> tells <a href="https://twitter.com/BGeltzNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BGeltzNBA</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SamMitchellNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SamMitchellNBA</a> why he thinks some big roster changes could be on the way in Boston. <a href="https://t.co/uY2usjgT7K">pic.twitter.com/uY2usjgT7K</a>

If the Celtics keep the tandem together, the focus shifts to whether they have enough assets to acquire an All-Star talent to create their own Big Three.

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Moore reported center Robert Williams III could be the centerpiece in a potential deal.

"If there's a value player they can add in, it's probably Williams," an NBA insider told the Action Network.

The 24-year-old Texas A&M product has averaged 9.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks across 21 appearances this season. He's tied for 33rd among centers in WAR, per FiveThirtyEight.

Whether Williams, a few depth pieces and draft picks would be enough to land another top-tier player is uncertain, though.

Boston has a pretty tricky schedule for the rest of December, starting Friday night against the Golden State Warriors and their NBA-best 23-5 record, but the January slate looks more favorable.

That should give the front office a chance to see if the current roster can make a surge before the Feb. 10 trade deadline or whether a shake up is necessary.