NBA Trade Deadline: Boston Celtics Will Regret Not Acquiring Front Court Help
The Boston Celtics will wish they had been more aggressive leading up to the NBA trade deadline this past Thursday. They failed to acquire front court help and now look poised for a first-round playoff exit.
With Jermaine O'Neal out since Feb. 20 with a left wrist injury, the C's had every reason to acquire size and toughness regardless of the cost. The Lakers were not willing to part ways with forward Pau Gasol for what Boston was offering, so now the Celtics enter the final playoff push undermanned in the paint.
Missed Opportunity
New Orleans Hornets big man Chris Kaman was rumored to be on the block for months and remains on the Hornets roster after the deadline has passed, meaning the Celtics only hope of landing him before the playoffs potentially is if he were to be bought out of his contract, which looks unlikely right now.
Making matters worse, Celtics big man Chris Wilcox will not return to the Boston lineup anytime soon. Wilcox has been ruled out for the season because of having to undergo aortic surgery; meanwhile, O'Neal is not expected to return this season according to head coach Doc Rivers.
The Impact
Boston is already the worst rebounding team in the league this season, averaging just over 38 rebounds per game. With Wilcox and O'Neal out, the C's have lost two of their better rebounders, and nearly 10 RPG combined from the two players.
The pressure will continue to fall on the shoulders of 35-year-old Kevin Garnett (he'll be 36 in May), who leads Boston with 8.2 rebounds per night.
The amount of focus Garnett will have to pay to the defensive side of the ball, anchoring Boston's defense and making sure to post close to double-digit rebound numbers night in and night out will surely take away from his offense.
Playoffs and Beyond
On the bright side of things, the Celtics have won eight of 11 games since the All-Star break, and seem primed for the postseason. They are somewhat comfortably above .500 at 23-20, and have a solid lead over the next team in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The concern will be the front court moving forward though; it has to be. Rajon Rondo will keep the guard play at a high level, and the Celtics are among the best teams in the NBA in teamwork (third in assists per game) and defense (third in points allowed).
The x-factor for Boston will be on the boards, where they struggle mightily this season. Their lack of activity at the trade deadline will haunt them as the playoffs near, though; that cannot be denied. As an aging team that must go through Miami and Chicago, their chances of success are slim.
