The Boston Celtics’ offseason fireworks display might not be as grandiose as originally anticipated.
While the Celtics continue to be connected to stars such as Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin and DeMarcus Cousins in trade rumors, it sounds like those deals could be nothing more than pipe dreams. Instead, the consensus among NBA executives whom CSNNE.com’s A. Sherrod Blakely spoke to is that the most likely trade for Boston is one involving Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor.
The Celtics and 76ers reportedly discussed a draft night trade, presumably involving the No. 3 overall pick, which Boston ultimately used to select Jaylen Brown. The C’s and Sixers couldn’t agree on a deal, but league sources told Blakely that both teams have left the door open on getting something done before the start of training camp. The 76ers reportedly are open to trading a big man after drafting Ben Simmons No. 1 overall.
“From the moment Philly drafted Ben, everyone around the league knew that they would have to trade a big, either Okafor or Nerlens (Noels),” an NBA scout told CSNNE.com. “Okafor is the better scorer; it’s not even close really. But Nerlens has that ability to run the floor and can protect the rim. Those two qualities … you can’t have enough guys in the frontcourt who call those two skills, strengths. That’s why Okafor is the more expendable player.”
Okafor, who was the third overall pick in 2015, is coming off a rookie season in which he averaged 17.5 points and 7 rebounds in 30 minutes per game over 53 contests. At 6-foot-11, the 20-year-old Duke product would add some size to Boston’s roster, but Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge might continue to aim higher on the trade market, especially since Okafor comes with some off-the-court concerns in addition to being an inferior player to Westbrook, Griffin and Cousins.
A league official told Blakely that Ainge currently is biding his time and waiting for an opportunity to snare the biggest fish that “no one sees coming.”
Thumbnail photo via John Geliebter/USA TODAY Sports Images
