Celtics Shouldn't Pursue Further Deadline Trades After Nikola Vucevic Deal Amid NBA Rumors
The Boston Celtics made headlines Tuesday with reports that they were acquiring center Nikola Vucevic from Chicago for Anfernee Simons, with a package of second-round draft capital also involved.
The trade came at a time when the Celtics sat tied for second place in the Eastern Conference, just 5.5 games back from the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. Somewhat overachieving without Jayson Tatum on the floor due to an Achilles tear suffered in last summer's playoffs, the team needed an upgrade in its front court and got it in Vucevic.
The 35-year-old center has tallied 16.9 points per game, nine rebounds, 3.8 assists, and just under one steal and block, all while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Brian Robb of MassLive.com reported, "However, league sources tell MassLive that Boston is expected to remain active even after completing the deal for Vucevic."
While the trade improved the team and allowed it to dump some of Simons' contract, the team should not pursue any further trades before Thursday's 3:00 p.m. deadline.
The team has been better than expected and is a legitimate contender to emerge from the Eastern Conference and compete for an NBA title. They have exceeded expectations behind the strong play of Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. There is no reason to mess with the team's on-court chemistry, which making another move or two would.
There will already be some shuffling here or changes there to accommodate Vucevic and get him involved. It may take a few games to integrate him into head coach Brad Stevens' system and make him feel comfortable and confident that he can excel. Why set the team back even further by making trades that may or may not pan out, all to clear $5 million more from the books?
Few expected this Celtics team to be as good as it has been without Tatum on the floor, so why hurry to change up what has already proven to be among the best in the conference?
Let it ride, see what the team can accomplish with Vucevic added to the lineup, and prepare for a deep playoff run and a potential Larry O'Brien Trophy chase.
