After failing to win a championship multiple times with their current core, many are expecting the Boston Celtics to turn things around this summer. That could come in the form of a trade for Jaylen Brown or, perhaps, by making a lucrative move now to acquire a future Hall of Famer.
Chris Paul will likely be traded or waived before June 28th, with several other competing teams lined up to land him. Although the Celtics could theoretically sign him once he was waived, a proposed trade by sports radio host Colin Cowherd saw Boston acquire him outright from the Suns.
NBA Trades: The Celtics and Suns could find common ground over a trade involving Paul.
get suns
Marcus Smart
Daniel Gallinari
In theory, Paul for Smart Trade could be useful for both teams, although it would need some tweaking to make it workable. By moving on from Paul, the Suns will have a big question mark at point guard next season, but Smart could fill that role.
Meanwhile, Gallinari, who missed all of last season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, will need to sign up the final year of his contract and be included in the deal to help match salaries. If included, it could give the Phoenix shooter another spin and provide some much-needed depth.
The Celtics, assuming they re-sign the Browns to the Supermax, face added pressure to build a winner around their best players, and that will be made even more difficult because of the new CBA. Paul, who has two years left on his contract, may play one more year, which could be his last chance to win an elusive championship.
The Pauls and Celtics find themselves in a similar situation. Although he is not the same player he was before, he is still an above average guard who is also capable of creating offense for others.
The Celtics already have two great offensive players in Jason Tatum and Brown, but both have struggled to create against the Heat at times, contributing to the team’s fall in the East Finals. Changing things up by adding Paul to the mix could make their lives easier and help the Celtics get over the hump in the playoffs.
Whether Boston makes a play for Paul remains to be seen and it will depend primarily on what they decide to do with the Browns. If they re-sign the Browns, they can look forward to making a big move to try and improve their roster, and Paul could be an option if he’s still available.