NBA Rumors: 12 Trades the Boston Celtics Could Make To Replace Delonte West
It has been a difficult road for Delonte West. West has been through a plethora of off-court issues which can largely be attributed to his trials with Bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can lead to various lifestyle problems if it goes untreated, and is very trying to cope with regardless.
“You're playing for the wrong team,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers told West in a contest against the Cavaliers last season. It was almost as exciting for Rivers as it was for West to be back in the green uniform. West was at home.
West went through extensive psychological rehabilitation and was welcomed openly by his new teammates. Nothing could have been more discouraging for West than a fractured wrist, potentially sidelining him for the rest of the regular season. West, though, is managing to keep his spirits up.
West's surgery was a complete success, and he is pain free, claiming that his cast will be removed in two weeks. He also expects to return at some point during the regular season. "I have broken eight bones in my life they have all been in [my right] hand or this wrist," said West. "It's just one of those things."
West's prediction seems optimistic, and for now, there is gap that the Celtics might feel the need to fill. West's absence leaves the Celtics bench with less scoring potential and explosiveness.
It is unlikely that the Celtics will want to get rid of any of their well-placed pieces, but there is more than one way to acquire a player. Here are some names the Celtics could look at.
Daniel Gibson
1 of 12
LeBron James' departure from Cleveland instantly sent the Cavaliers into a rebuilding period, and there is a possibility that the Cavs would openly discuss the option of acquiring some draft picks with an eye on the future.
Gibson would be a more than ideal fit for the Celtics. Gibson is quick, pesky, and the ultimate team player. Gibson was an excellent complement to LeBron as a more than reliable role player beyond the arc. Gibson finished third in the NBA in 3-point FG percentage last year and would likely be able to put up similar numbers with the Celtics.
Gibson's size hinders his potential to ever be a go-to guy, and the Cavaliers must know that. He does, however, fit in perfectly with a team in need of some consistency off the bench. If the Celtics end up looking to take a shot at Gibson, they can certainly rely on the fact that the Heat won't be allowed in the running.
Terrence Williams
2 of 12
Williams was suspended for two games a couple of weeks ago by the Nets for making a habit of being late for shootarounds and/or practices. Nets coach Avery Johnson has been living up to his disciplinarian reputation, but it was hard to predict what came next.
Williams was sent down to the Springfield Armor; the D-League team for the Nets. The head-butting between Williams and Johnson has clearly entered a new realm. With Johnson in his first year of what the Nets hope will be a long and happy relationship, they will likely back him on all decisions, at least for now. Williams is merely a bench player in an organization that has a lot more worries than his little controversies. This may also mean the Nets might be increasingly willing to part ways with the shooting guard.
Regardless of his possible character issues, Williams is still the guy that posted eight triple-doubles in his rookie season, all while only averaging 22.6 minutes per game.
If Williams can clean up his act, his inside-out versatility gives him all the makings of a future starter in the NBA. He would be more than an asset off the bench for the Celtics as well as a bright spot looking toward the organization's future.
Rodrigue Beaubois
3 of 12
Beaubois is one of the less intriguing players on the list, but that is only because the Dallas Mavericks' savvy owner is unlikely to be willing to let go of him. Beaubois is 3-4 week away from playing while recovering from foot surgery.
On November 30th, the Mavericks assigned Beaubois to their D-League affiliate, the Texas Legends. Cuban has said that the decision is purely marketing based, and the Mavericks already do have a wide range of talent on the depth chart. Still, with Jason Kidd and Jason Terry in a progressively veteran state, the Mavericks as likely cast Beaubois as the future.
Beaubois tallied in double figures fifteen times last year and shot over 50% in his rookie season. He's a weapon from deep and shoots well from the line.
The problem for the Celtics with Beaubois and Terrence Williams is that their teams are likely unwilling to part ways with second-year players so early in their career. The Celtics would likely love a chance to bolster some talent for the future, but the Nets and Mavericks would probably be unresponsive to what the Celtics might want to offer (if anything).
Dahntay Jones
4 of 12
Jones is an athletic, capable scorer, but is the definition of inconsistent. Jones has struggled to two solid seasons consecutively in his four team, seven-year tour in the league. Jones averaged 10.2 points over 24.9 minutes just a season ago with the Pacers.
With Jones and any other player, the good for the Celtics is that they don't need any major fixings. Some occasional offense off the bench is about the only thing they may want (not need).
The bonus of contemplating Jones' services is that the Pacers would answer a proposition with open arms. According to the Indianapolis Star, the Pacers have, and will continue to try and trade Jones. This comes as no shock as the Pacers have been trying to move Jones for months. He has seen little action, and serves little use on a team already satisfied with their fillers at the G/F positions.
Nick Young
5 of 12
For whatever reason, Nick Young has never been able to fit into the Wizards plans beyond hovering around 20 minutes per game off the bench. The Wizards haven't had a relevant squad in quite some time, but they still haven't given Young much of a run.
Now, with Young in his fourth season, the Wizards have some talent at the guard positions with stud rookie John Wall, Kirk Hinrich, and Gilbert Arenas. Barring injury, there is little room for Young to snatch up any minutes.
The Wizards are another team building towards the future, and a draft pick could potentially tempt them into trading Young.
Young has a similar, but superior style in his game to that of Von Wafer. Wafer's stint with the Celtics hasn't exactly panned out, at least not to any significant measure. Young fits the bill for what the Celtics need at this point.
Marcus Thornton
6 of 12
The decline in Thornton's playing time is a massive shock, given what he contributed to the Hornets last season.
Thornton gained a great deal of playing time as a rookie with Chris Paul sidelines for the majority of the Hornets season, and he made the best of it. Thornton scored 20 points or more 21 times while averaging just 25.6 minutes per game. Thornton was absolutely lethal on jumpers and from three, shooting 45.1% and 37.4%, respectively.
Thornton had a sub-par preseason and head coach Monty Williams hasn't given him much of a chance to find his stride. A new coach and some new personnel means a new system that Thornton needs time to get used to. 13 minutes per game is not going to accomplish anything in regards to progress.
Marco Belinelli has been getting a deal of Thornton's minutes, and Thornton has been getting an inordinate amount of DNP's, with little reasoning as to why. Regardless, it doesn't seem that Thornton is anywhere close to fitting into New Orleans' plans.
Thornton is a threat even if he's not open and would be an asset to any team looking for a quick spot-shooter.
Reggie Williams
7 of 12
The trend of teams in the building stages continues, and the Warriors are a team that seem to be doing it right. Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis are now beginning to complement each-other and the addition of David Lee has been a major difference with the Warriors finally having an offensive presence in the post.
With Curry and Ellis healthy, Williams isn't benefiting from injury opportunities like he did last season. Dorell Wright's success at the small forward position has only further damaged Williams' time.
With Rodney Carney and Charlie Bell looking for minutes off the bench, the Warriors could afford to let Williams go for a decent draft pick. It doesn't seem like the Celtics would be against discussing Marquis Daniels, either.
Williams' starters minutes have dipped by more than 10, and consequently his numbers have suffered. His percentages, however, have not. Williams is up near 38% from deep this season and is consistently above 80% from the line.
Carlos Delfino
8 of 12
Delfino is a risk, but that is the exact reason the Celtics could have a shot at acquiring him.
Delfino has been experiencing post-concussion headaches and has some neck pain to go along with it. Delfino hasn't played in a month, but should be back in the next couple weeks. When he's at his best, he can be a dynamic force.
Delfino's biggest perk is that he does it all. He can score, shoot the three, while his rebounds/assists round out the rest of his game. Delfino had the best season of his career last year with the Bucks, posting a 13/4/4 line with a career-high 1.6 steals/game.
If the Celtics could manage to swing the likes of Delfino, he would likely fit in perfectly with their scrappy defensive mentality while adding quickness and scoring off the bench. The Celtics could be deterred by Delfino's injury woes, but recent history certainly doesn't support that.
C.J. Watson
9 of 12
Watson played one of the best games of his four-year career with Derrick Rose sidelined on November 26th, but is only averaging 14.4 minutes per game (partially inflated by that 44-minute performance). Watson flashed his skills with more frequency last year with the Warriors, but has only had this one opportunity to demonstrate his value in Chicago. Rose just sucks up to many minutes, and rightfully so.
With less minutes, Watson can post a similar line to Delfino, but he is not as much of a deep ball threat. Still, he is more savvy as a PG and is more dangerous of the dribble.
In a perfect world, Watson would form a tremendous duo with Nate Robinson and would make the Celtics bench look more like a starting lineup. Watson is one of the more unlikely possibilities for the Celtics, however, with the Bulls acquiring him for the sole purpose of backing up Derrick Rose. Wouldn't it be nice.
Sebastian Telfair
10 of 12
Like Delonte West, Telfair would be welcomed back to Boston with open arms.
Telfair was traded along with Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, and Theo Ratliff to the Timberwolves in the 2007 Kevin Garnett deal. The Celtics were Telfair's second team after being drafted by the Trailblazers as the 13th pick in the 2004 draft. Since then, Telfair visited the Clippers in 2009 and the Cavaliers in 2010, before returning to the Timberwolves this season.
With soon to be starting point guard Johnny Flynn due back soon, and Luke Ridnour either in front or behind him, little room will be left for Telfair upon Flynn's return.
Telfair is increasingly developing a veteran's mentality and would create a reliable combination with Robinson. Telfair's FG% and FT% were higher last year than at any point in his career. He is doing more with less minutes and probably deserves more time off the bench with another team.
Randy Foye
11 of 12
Foye has a game very similar to Telfair's, and is experiencing a very similar situation. Foye signed with the Clippers on July 8th after stints with the Timberwolves and Wizards. He is a ways away from his NBA All-Rookie team selection in 2006, but the intangibles are still there.
Similar to Telfair's circumstances, Foye is behind in the pecking order. Rookie Eric Bledsoe has made an impressive impact with the Clippers and behind Bledsoe is Baron Davis. Davis has been has been struggling with injuries but has shown that his experience may be just as valuable if not more than Bledsoe's quickness. Regardless, the situation leaves Foye on the outside looking in.
The Clippers didn't give anything up to get Foye, and would probably be thrilled to acquire a later pick for him. Foye would be of much more use to the Celtics as West's replacement and has proven his reliability before.
Like many of the previously mentioned players, Foye would benefit greatly from the teachings of the Celtics' veterans while being an ample contributor in the now.
Rudy Fernandez
12 of 12
Rudy, Rudy, Rudy.
Fernandez's agent had demanded a trade of the Blazers in the off-season, and the Celtics were one of the teams potentially in the running. Fernandez also made claims about wanting to return to play overseas, but turned out all for not as Fernandez returned to the Blazers.
Fernandez isn't as flashy as some of the other players on the list, but there was a reason that the Celtics were looking to add him. Fernandez is a career 38.3% 3-point shooter and doesn't specialize in much else. Celtics management knew deep shooting on the bench was a point of weakness, but had to settle for Von Wafer's limited services instead.
With Wesley Matthews beginning to make an extensive impact for Portland and Nicolas Batum also seeing significant minutes, there is less and less room for minutes coming off the bench for Fernandez. Inconsistencies in Fernandez's play and questions about his dedication have plagued his perception as reliable option in Portland. The Celtics know better.
Fernandez's presence would give the Celtics exactly what they need and nothing more.
