NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Should Trade For Jusuf Nurkic

5. Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have been stocking up draft picks and quality young players for years on end. As Danny Ainge weighs his options on the trade front, it stands to reason that Jusuf Nurkic could be the big man Brad Stevens needs at center.

Boston’s committee of versatile big men are strong in numbers, but Nurkic is the upside player whom the Celtics could develop to anchor the interior.

Boston seems to prefer versatile big men who can space the floor, but Nurkic is a moldable young talent at 22 years of age. For Stevens, he could be the type of player whom Boston is currently lacking in the sense that Nurkic can put his shoulder into an opponent and get a quick two.

Alongside Al Horford, who can be physical but thrives as a finesse player, Nurkic could excel under Stevens.

Nurkic and Isaiah Thomas would make for an intriguing combination of scorers in the pick and roll. He could also be an intriguing complement to Marcus Smart as physical players who play with reckless abandon on defense.

If Boston is willing to part ways with Jae Crowder to get a trade done—and I’m not entirely they should be—this deal could get done.