Boston Celtics: 3 reasons to trade Terry Rozier before deadline
By Jordan Daly
1. The future is bright in Boston
General manager Danny Ainge is as forward-thinking as they come. Dubbed “Trader Danny,” Ainge is known as one of the greatest GMs in the history of the NBA, due to his ability to rob teams in trades.
Ainge’s most widely known trade was back in 2013, where the Celtics sent Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry and D.J. White to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Keith Bogans and their unprotected first round draft picks in 2014, 2016, 2018 and the right to swap first-rounders with the Nets in 2017.
This set Boston up for long-term success. The Cs received Jaylen Brown with the 2016 pick. The 2017 first round, first overall pick was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for the third overall pick, which turned into Jayson Tatum, and the Sacramento Kings’ first round pick in 2019. The 2018 Nets pick was used in the blockbuster deal that brought Kyrie Irving to Boston.
Due to the prowess of Ainge, the Celtics have the possibility of having four first round picks in 2019: their own, the Kings pick (top-1 protected), the Memphis Grizzlies’ pick (top-8 protected) and the Los Angeles Clippers’ pick (top-14 protected).
With a loaded 2019 NBA Draft class highlighted Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett and Ja Morrant, the Celtics may have no problem filling the void of Rozier if they decide to trade him.
Ainge could send Rozier to a team needing a starting point guard in hopes to acquire more picks to continue to set the team up for future success.