The NBA trade deadline is looming Thursday, and right now, there is not really much the Boston Celtics can do. They can't make a trade for Anthony Davis until the summer due to the “Rose rule” concerning Kyrie Irving, and there don't seem to be a whole lot of interesting pieces available at the deadline otherwise.
So, what can the Celtics accomplish this week? Well, for starters, let's focus on the fact that Boston has been the best team in the Eastern Conference for over two months and is right behind the Golden State Warriors for the best club in the league.
Since their disappointing 10-10 start, the C's have gone 24-9, good for the most wins in the NBA during that span. They also have the best net rating in the league over that time period and have the league's second-ranked offense and fourth-ranked defense over those 33 games.
The Celtics have also been beating good teams, as well, most recently defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon to complete a season sweep of the Western Conference contenders.
Boston has now won nine of its last 10 games, and that streak started with a win over the Toronto Raptors.
So, basically, the Celtics really, really good, as expected, and really don't need to do all that much at the trade deadline in order to contend for a title this year.
But, just because Boston doesn't need to do anything doesn't mean they won't attempt to.
One thing the Celtics need, for example, is another ball-handler off the bench.
Yeah, Terry Rozier is still really good when he starts, but when he comes off the pine in relief of Kyrie Irving, it's like a three-ring circus at times, almost as if Rozier doesn't realize he is playing the same game whether he is starting or coming in with a couple of minutes left in the first quarter.
For that reason, Boston could certainly use another point guard. Remember: last year, the C's also had Shane Larkin off the bench. Larkin actually played a pivotal role for the Celtics at times during the 2017-18 campaign, especially in the playoffs with Irving sidelined.
Believe it or not, Boston actually misses Larkin this season, as Brad Wanamaker simply does not provide the same type of playmaking ability that Larkin did a year ago.
Memphis Grizzlies point guard Shelvin Mack and Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley are two names the C's could (and should) consider making a play for between now and Thursday.
Mack in particular is a solid facilitator and can help settle the Celtics' offense down when he comes into the game, and while Beverley is not necessarily a pure point guard, he doesn't turn the ball over and would provide yet another staunch perimeter defender on a Boston roster that is full of them.
Or, maybe the C's will pursue another interior player?
Given the injuries to Aron Baynes and Daniel Theis throughout the year, the Celtics have found themselves short in the frontcourt more often than not. Adding another piece up front certainly couldn't hurt, and there could be some potential big men available for Boston to consider.
Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green is the first name that comes to mind, as Green represents a versatile forward who can spread the floor and guard multiple positions, providing the Celtics with another Marcus Morris-type player up front.
Thinking bigger, if the New York Knicks decide to buy out DeAndre Jordan (and they insist they won't, but let's just mention it for the sake of argument), the Celtics will surely be a player for his services, as he can instantly start alongside of Al Horford and give Boston another All-Star caliber big man to make life miserable for opponents.
Imagine a Kyrie-DeAndre pick-and-roll?
Thinking more realistically, though, guys like Green, Atlanta Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon and Knicks big man Noah Vonleh could represent viable options for the C's and probably would not cost all that much in return.
As it stands, the Celtics have more than enough to come out of the Eastern Conference, and one can make the case that they remain the favorites in spite of their slow start.
But, by now, we know Danny Ainge tends to live on the edge, so it's entirely possible that he still goes out and attempts to better the team between now and Thursday.
And hey; if the New Orleans Pelicans don't trade Davis by the deadline, then Ainge will likely be very busy this summer.
For now, though, the Celtics should take it one step at a time.
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