2021 NBA Trade Deadline: 10 predictions of what will happen

Prediction No. 3: The Boston Celtics will make a splash

What a fun and exciting era this is for Boston Celtics fans. During the last five years, the team has acquired All-Stars like Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Al Horford and Gordon Hayward. Additionally, they’ve grown their own talent with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum having blossomed into superstars.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to be enough. The Celtics have lost three of the last four Eastern Conference Finals and, if the first half of this season is any indication, they won’t get anywhere close to that this year.

They have built a very fun core from a managerial point of view, but the team needs a lot of bench help. Finishing the pre-All-Star part of the season just over .500 has to act as a wake-up call for a front office prone to making big and quick moves.

Obviously, the one big name that Celtics fans would love to have on their team is Nikola Vucevic. Even though he is not entirely off the table, the Celtics might have to give up too much to acquire a center that is having his best individual season yet.

Some other, very realistic and cheaper, options include J.J. Redick, Harrison Barnes, Tim Hardaway Jr., Larry Nance Jr. and the frontrunner for the Most Improved Player award, Jerami Grant.

As in any trade, you have to give something equally valuable up, if you want to get your guy. In Boston’s case that may mean parting ways with fan favorites like Marcus Smart and Daniel Theis as well as some of their young talent.