With the trade deadline just around the corner, teams have an opportunity to beef up their roster by swapping for that one piece that can bolster their title hopes. For the Boston Celtics, that missing piece to the puzzle may be big man Steven Adams.
The Brad Stevens-led squad currently sport a 33-15 record for third place in the East. Acquiring Kemba Walker over the summer proved to be the move that transformed the squad from an underperforming team to a legitimate playoff contender. The trade couldn't have come at a perfect time as young studs Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have finally found their stride.
But the summer also saw the departure of Al Horford to the Philadelphia 76ers. To fill in the void, Stevens had no choice but to field inexperienced big man Daniel Theis to the fold, as well as Enes Kanter. While the two have been effective for the Celtics thus far, it's hard to tell if they can replicate this success in the postseason. While Stevens is a defensive-minded coach, he may have a difficult time matching up with the big men of the East like Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, or even Bam Abedayo of the Miami Heat.
This is where Adams can enter the picture. In 44 games (44 starts), the 26-year-old has averaged 10.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 blocks across 26.7 minutes per game. The numbers don't' scream at you. But Adams has built a reputation around the league as the hardest screen setter out there. Some even say that he is the strongest player in the NBA. And he has harnessed this ability to become the Thunder's defensive anchor and a good finisher around the rim. Coupled with these abilities is his wealth of NBA playoff experience which includes two trips to the Western Conference Finals.
Given Adams' value, the Celtics may need to pluck out a player from their core group of Marcus Smart, Tatum, Brown, and Walker. Add a role player and/or a pick(s) and then you may have yourself a deal between the Celtics and the Thunder.
But the main obstacle, apart from Adams' hefty contract ($25.8M this year, and $27.5M next year), is if the most basic question of all: are the Thunder willing to part ways with the New Zealander?
After all, the team was expected to enter the long rebuilding process this year. But thanks to Chris Paul's leadership, the emergence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schröder have turned the Thunder into a serious up-and-coming team. While they're nowhere near title contender status, the Thunder front office cannot simply let go of the pieces that have given them all the success thus far.
As such, it would be relatively easy for both parties to arrange a beneficial trade package. The Celtics may be more than willing to break their core off but Adams may just be too valuable for the Thunder right now.
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