NBA Trades: 10 Players Boston Celtics Could Add To Become a Lock For NBA Finals
NBA trades can be tough to figure, especially when the subject is a team as deep as the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics once again look like they're going to be the team to beat in the East, as they currently hold the best record in the conference at 11-4.
But are they a lock for the NBA Finals? Hell-to-the-no. There are always going to be holes to fill. And the Celtics already have one thanks to Delonte West's broken wrist.
Here are 10 players that could make them a lock for the Finals.
10. Jerry Stackhouse
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I'm going to go ahead and throw Stackhouse on this list simply because he's available, and having another big body is always a good idea.
But I'm keeping him low on this list because the C's already have better options, and because Stackhouse doesn't really fit any of their needs.
9. Eddie House
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Don't get me wrong, I'm as big a fan as Nate Robinson as the next guy.
But I don't think I will ever understand why Danny Ainge traded Eddie House for him.
Well, I know it's not going to happen, bu the Celtics fans wants Eddie House back, dammit.He's a much better three point shooter than Robinson, and we all know that's something the C's could use off the bench.
Maybe Ainge can convince the Heat that Robinson can be a starting point guard; or in other words, the cure for what ails them.
8. Stephen Jackson
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It's barely been more than a calendar year since the Warriors traded Jackson to the Bobcats, which came just a year after he signed a lucrative three-year extension with them.
With the Bobcats languishing at 5-10, and likely not going anywhere this year, they just might consider trying to get something for Jackson, who is making over $8 million this year.
The move would relegate Jackson to the bench. Jackson might not like it, but the Celtics would. He's made more three pointers this season than Ray Allen, and the C's could use a three point shooter off the bench.
Nevertheless, a long shot.
7. Aaron Brooks
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Well, if the Kings are apparently interesting in trading for Aaron Brooks, maybe Danny Ainge should get in on him as well.
If Brooks can be had for a useless big, like, say, Jermaine O'Neal, then I daresay the C's may have found a suitable replacement for Delonte West.
Sure, he's a starter. But only because Houston has no better options.
Besides, the memory of Brooks giving the Lakers fits in the playoffs two years ago might give Danny Ainge desperate enough.
6. Jeff Teague
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Teague has pretty much lost his backup point guard spot to Jordan Crawford, the rookie out of Xavier, and his situation could get ugly if more and more minutes slip away.
The Hawks have already rejected an offer from the Kings, who are interested in a couple point guards.
Ainge should kick the tires on this one, as he's going to need a third point guard whether he knows it or not. Besides, you put Teague on a winner, and good things might happen.
5. Kwame Brown
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Brown was one of two centers that Ainge was interested in adding over the summer.
The other was Shaq.
Nevertheless, the C's do have so issues with the two O'Neal's that they brought in to pick up the slack for Kendrick Perkins' injury. Shaq has been hurt (surprise, surprise), and Jermaine O'Neal has been just about as ineffective off the bench as I think most C's fans anticipated.
So maybe Ainge should consider a trade.
4. Anthony Morrow
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The C's were interested in acquiring Morrow when he was a restricted free agent from Golden State.
He of course landed in New Jersey instead, where he has continued his sharpshooting ways.
Morrow is a 46 percent shooter, including 38 percent from beyond the arc. If the Nets continue to tumble farther and farther out of the race, they might not be too opposed to moving him by the time the February trade deadline rolls around.
And I'm sure Ainge would still be very much interested in bringing Morrow onto the team, provided the price isn't too steep of course.
3. Rudy Fernandez
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Danny Ainge tried to get Fernandez from the Trail Blazers during the offseason before talks eventually fell through.
Maybe they should reopen them.
Much like Jackson, Fernandez could provide some much needed range off the bench.
The only hangup is that the Blazers are 8-6 right now, and you have to think that they're not quite willing to deal one of their best bench players as long as they're alive in the West.
2. Richard Hamilton
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With the Pistons continuing to unravel before our very eyes, you have to wonder how long it will be before they start to unload.
Hamilton's name was the subject of all sorts of speculation over the summer, as he was relegated to a bench role.
He's enjoyed something of a renaissance this year, and at least one Detroit columnist thinks he should ask for a trade.
If Hamilton does ask to be traded, Ainge should step to the front of the line. Even if he can't get him, he might be able to block him from going to a conference rival who needs him even more.
And yes, that would mean the Heat.
1. Tayshaun Prince
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From one Pistons player to another. And why not? The whole world seems be clambering for them to get rid of their best players. How long will it be before they do?
But seriously, Prince is as good a player as the Celtics could hope to add to their bench. He's got size, he can shoot, he can defend, and he's athletic.
He'd of course be a starter on any other team, but stranger things have happened. And more ridiculous trades have been made.
That means you, Pau Gasol.
Crazy Trades
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Now that we've BS'd for ten slides, we can honestly say that the Celtics' rotation is far more sturdy than most of their contemporaries. And if they do make a trade, it will probably be for a name that none of us had anticipated.
If so, there's no reason why we can't take this speculation into the realm of the absurd.
Here are a couple moves that would be ridiculous, but also possible according to ESPN's NBA Trade Machine:
Deal 1: Glen Davis, Kendrick Perkins, Luke Harangody, and Avery Bradley for Andris Biedrins
Deal 2: Avery Bradley and Glen Davis for Derrick Rose
Deal 3: Rajon Rondo, Glen Davis, Kendrick Perkins and Avery Bradley for Dwight Howard.
