The Celtics couldn’t buy a bucket from outside during their loss to the Knicks on Thursday, and outside shooting is something the C’s could stand to improve. Danny Ainge just might have a solution in mind.
ESPN’s Marc Stein tweeted on Friday morning that he’s hearing the Celtics are “ramping up their interest” in Magic guard J.J. Redick.
Stein reports that he heard this news prior to the Celtics’ shooting woes against the Knicks, but one has to believe Thursday’s performance will only heighten that rumored interest.
Hearing Celts, even before season-worst 7-for-32 shooting from 15+ feet in NYK loss, have ramped up their interest in Magic’s J.J. Redick
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 25, 2013
Redick, who you may recall was a superstar for the Duke Blue Devils from 2002 to 2006, is putting together a solid year with Orlando. The 28-year-old is averaging a career-high 14.9 points and 4.4 assists in 31.4 minutes per game for the 14-28 Magic. He could be a valuable component to the now-struggling Celtics given his status as a knockdown shooter.
Redick, who is shooting 39.8 percent from beyond the arc this season, posted a career-high 41.8-percent mark last season and is a career 39.9-percent 3-point shooter. Those marks are higher than any of the Celtics’ shooters this year, and his presence would certainly help a team that’s shooting 33.4 percent from 3-point range — which is 27th in the NBA.
The problem for the Celtics, however, would be putting together a package to obtain Redick, as they also need some help up front. Stein reports that size is Boston’s priority if a deal is made before the Feb. 21 trade deadline, although word is that Ainge and Co. will look to work their way into the mix for Redick.
Size obviously Celts’ priority if they do deal before Feb. 21 trade deadline but word is they hope to work way into Redick mix if they can
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 25, 2013
