Boston Celtics: Team must buy at trade deadline
The trade deadline is coming up in the next few weeks. Due to the way things have played out this season for the Boston Celtics, it’s best for this team to be buyers.
The Boston Celtics have had one of the best seasons in the NBA to this point. They are currently in first in the Eastern Conference with a 34-11 record. That record is good enough to put the Celtics two games behind the NBA’s best team, the Golden State Warriors.
Things have been running fairly smooth for the majority of the season. They went through a rough patch back in the middle of December, but have regained their footing ever since. But, if that rough patch was anything to look back upon, it’s the need to add more to the roster.
For the majority of the season, the Celtics have been running a rookie lineup. They have seven rookies, including Tatum. Not that this team necessarily wanted to; it’s more that they have to. This team has faced so many injuries, which have caused them to filter in these young players in order to pick up the slack.
With all those injuries, there have only been three players who have played the entire season (Aron Baynes, Terry Rozier and Jayson Tatum), and it seems like things are not lightening up any time soon. One of those three players’ run could be in jeopardy.
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Sadly the star rookie Tatum is struggling with a knee injury. Any knee injury is scary, but it gets scarier when you know it’s one of your young, promising players. He suited up Tuesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans, but it’s something to keep an eye on moving forward
There is no question that the Boston Celtics should be buyers come trade deadline time. It’s not even that the injuries have piled up, but the team struggles to find a groove when the bench comes in and plays. The Celtics are in the bottom half of the league in bench scoring, which is easily the team’s Achilles heel.
It’s definitely helped having Marcus Morris come off the bench, as he has provided some offensive push. However, much like the rest of the roster, he too as struggled to stay healthy, only playing in 22 games. Sure Marcus Smart, and Terry Rozier are off the bench, but they’re not the best offensive players. Either one of those players at times look like they won’t miss a shot, and then there are nights where you’re just shaking your head when they go up for a shot. This isn’t to discredit them, they’re just great defensive players.
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The Celtics are known for having trade assets, and I know Danny Ainge is going to be snooping around the league, wondering who he can swindle next. If the Celtics want to make a deep run in the playoffs and possibly win the championship, then they must buy now at the trade deadline. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we take a look at who the Celtics should target before the trade deadline.