Hypothetical Celtics Trades to Boost Pursuit of 2025 NBA Title

The Boston Celtics have a roster built to win an NBA title.

But that isn't the first time anyone has said that about this franchise, which last celebrated a title in 2008.

So, for as dominant as the Shamrocks have been to this point, there's a real chance this run won't end any differently than their recent postseason ventures. And if this club can't capitalize on this opportunity, change is likely coming to this roster.

The moves probably won't be dramatic—though we'll all have to wait and see what happens with Jrue Holiday, who holds a $39.4 million player option for next season, per Spotrac—but when a club is this close to winning it all, even marginal moves can have a significant impact.

If the Celtics go searching for ways to upgrade their rotation, they could make some things happen on the trade market. We'll explore some possibilities with a trio of hypothetical offseason swaps, although since payrolls and rosters will look differently by the time these deals could go down, we'll focus on general trade concepts as opposed to fully realized, salary-matching moves.

Taking a Flier on AJ Griffin

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COLLEGE PARK, GA - MARCH 3rd: AJ Griffin #14 of the College Park Skyhawks brings the ball up court during the game against the G-League Ignite on March 3rd, 2024 at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Assuming the Celtics don't sense a need for dramatic change—and barring a premature playoff exit, they shouldn't—then they'll probably be shopping the bargain bin this summer.

Much like their deadline deal for Jaden Springer, a trade for AJ Griffin could be a chance to buy low on a young player with untapped potential. And if the Celtics happened to get the best out of Griffin, they'd suddenly have a cost-controlled, three-and-D wing added to the equation.

It's worth noting, of course, that Griffin isn't getting any minutes (132 in total) this season on an Atlanta Hawks team headed for the Play-In Tournament. So, the odds of him becoming a regular contributor in Boston can't be great.

Then again, injuries and personal absences have contributed to his limited floor time, so it isn't necessarily tied to a lack of ability. Just last season, the 6'6" swingman carved out a rotation role as a rookie, netting 39 percent of his long-range looks while showing flashes of defensive ability and some off-the-dribble utility. He's an interesting young player, and given what it would cost to get him (a pair of second-round picks might do it), the potential reward could easily outweigh any risk.

Chasing a Young Shooter

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HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - FEBRUARY 8: Jett Howard #13 of the Osceola Magic shoots during the game against the Windy City Bulls on February 8, 2024 at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images)

Staying in the bargain bin, how much would it actually take to lure Jett Howard away from the Orlando Magic?

Sure, they spent last year's No. 11 pick on him, but they've also faced a shooting shortage all season and still never bothered to glance in his direction. He has appeared in just 14 games for a total of 52 minutes with the Magic, spending much of his season in the G League.

His NBA stats are a mess (34.8/27.8/50 shooting slash), but the sample size is so microscopic that no big-picture takeaways should be extracted from it. In the G League, the shooting specialist has lived up to the label by averaging 3.6 three-pointers per game on 37.7 percent shooting.

Given Boston's affinity for the long ball, Howard could be an easy system fit as an off-the-bench launcher. He would cost more than Griffin to get, but if the Celtics are bullish about Howard, they could make the Magic really think by putting a protected first-round pick on the table.

Backing Up the Bigs

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 16: Nick Richards #4 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 16, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Interior depth has been a talking point for this team all season, and there's every reason to believe that will remain the case moving forward.

Kristaps Porziņģis has been available enough to make a massive impact, but it's not like he has been the model of great health. Al Horford is barely two months away from his 38th birthday, and he can't keep defying the aging curve forever.

The Celtics could absolutely feel they need more frontcourt protection than they've had this season, which could put Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards on their radar. He is a rock-solid, reliable and athletic 7-footer who'd help replace some of the bounce and paint protection they lost when they had to include Robert Williams III in the Jrue Holiday trade.

Richards would be the hardest to get of the players we've discussed, but he probably isn't off-limits. Not when the rebuilding Hornets need more assets and already have their building-block big man in Mark Williams. It might take a package headlined by a protected first-rounder or even 20-year-old rookie Jordan Walsh, but the certainty the Celtics would receive at the center spot might be worth it.