Hoops Habit
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Predicting The NBA’s Biggest Headlines In 2017

By Josh Cornelissen

January 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with forward Andre Iguodala (9) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with forward Andre Iguodala (9) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 6, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; The Boston Celtics Green team holds signs during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; The Boston Celtics Green team holds signs during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Cashed In: New-look Boston Celtics enter season as favorites to win the Eastern Conference

For years the Boston Celtics have been in the mix for a superstar trade. With a war chest of draft picks and value contracts giving them the best collection of assets in the league, it has seemed a foregone conclusion that general manager Danny Ainge would again pull the trigger to bring in superstar talent.

Perhaps to Boston’s benefit, Ainge has been reluctant to make a trade that the Celtics would not clearly win. But with the Raptors fielding an historic offense and the Bucks rising daily towards the top, Boston will act from a greater sense of urgency in making a move.

It would take a little bit of cap mechanics, but they could feasibly trade for disgruntled big man Nerlens Noel and still make room for a max contract. The connection between head coach Brad Stevens and Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward is strong, dating back to their years at Butler together.

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While Hayward has said the right things about staying in Utah, they have a lot of players to pay and a core that hasn’t won a single playoff game. The allure of a star-laden Boston franchise could be too much for a player ready to win.

With a starting lineup of Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Gordon Hayward, Al Horford, and Nerlens Noel the Celtics would be able to match Cleveland toe-to-toe. The shine of a newly formed super team could give Boston the edge in preseason prognostications.

That group of players would still need to prove itself, but the fit looks great on paper. Bradley and Noel are low-usage defensive stars, while Hayward and Thomas can share playmaking duties. The team will have lost some of the young talent and picks in acquiring Noel and making room for Hayward, but they have enough in the cupboard to still field an elite-level team.

Next: 10 NBA Teams That Should Trade For Paul Millsap

Regardless of the outcome of this season’s playoffs, Cleveland will have a timer set in the East as Boston continues to draft elite prospects or trades for stars. Next season could see the next super team form in the Northeast and challenge LeBron for his Eastern Conference throne.