Boston Celtics: 10 Potential Star Trade Targets
5. Serge Ibaka
Going all-in on a superstar is one avenue the Celtics could take, but if they’re looking for a less costly option who’d still make the team a bigger threat to Cleveland come playoff time, Serge Ibaka is a realistic option.
The Orlando Magic are reportedly looking to trade Ibaka, which makes sense since he’s unlikely to re-sign with a non-playoff team as an unrestricted free agent this summer. Rather than lose him for nothing this summer, why not flip him for a decent trade package from Boston?
For a team that gave up Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and Domantas Sabonis to trade for Ibaka, Orlando needs to make sure to get something in return.
In our first scenario, the Magic get Tyler Zeller to help the salaries match, but the real asset is Marcus Smart. Though Elfrid Payton has played much better recently, the front office still doesn’t seem sold on him being the long-term solution at point guard.
Smart would be another risk considering his miserable shooting percentages (.356/.307/.782), but he’s a gamer who plays defense like a pit bull and would bring some much-needed competitive fire to a team that’s tired of finishing in the draft lottery.
However, Payton is only a few days older than Smart and he’s shooting a better percentage from the field at 45.9 percent. If the Magic decide to put their faith in Payton at the point, an alternative might include Zeller, bench scorer Gerald Green and Boston’s 2018 first-rounder that’s inbound from Brooklyn:
The 2017 first-rounder is probably too valuable to give up for an impending free agent, especially since Ibaka hasn’t exactly blown anyone away in an expanded role in Orlando. The 2018 first-rounder isn’t too far away and should still have enough value for the Magic.
Green would provide bench scoring and entertainment, possibly helping the Magic remain somewhat competitive as they try to toe the line between rebuilding, trading a departing asset and keeping hope alive for a playoff appearance.
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For the Celtics, they’d be getting a stretch-4 who could spread the floor alongside Horford, block shots (1.6 per game) and help on the boards (6.9 rebounds per game). Even better, they wouldn’t have to sacrifice much of the core, allowing Boston to trot out a starting lineup of Thomas, Bradley, Crowder, Ibaka and Horford.
Unfortunately, since the Celtics don’t need Ibaka, they might not be willing to match a more desperate team’s offer. Boston may not want to sacrifice assets for a player who may wind up bolting in free agency either, especially since he’s 27 and will be seeking the biggest contract of his career.
Ibaka would be a great fit, but Ainge would have to ask himself if it’s worth overpaying to retain the services of a player who might not be enough to move the needle past Cleveland in the Eastern Conference.