The Boston Celtics appear to be set at the point guard position, but they reportedly would not be opposed to adding another this offseason.
Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson, whom the Celtics pursued at this year’s trade deadline, still is a candidate to end up in Boston, according to Grantland’s Zach Lowe.
“But don’t count out the Celtics just because they have (Isaiah) Thomas — a warning that should apply to lots of teams with established starting point guards,” Lowe wrote Tuesday. “Lawson is really good, and Denver’s thinning trade market presents opportunity for a surprise suitor to strike.”
The Celtics snagged Thomas from the Phoenix Suns after reportedly being unable to reach a deal for Lawson. The latter’s numbers dipped nearly across the board this season, but he still managed to average 15.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals over 75 games for the Nuggets.
Lawson has spent his entire six-year career in Denver, but that tenure might be nearing an end. Chris Dempsey of The Denver Post reported earlier this week that the 27-year-old has worn out his welcome.
“Once considered an untouchable on the Nuggets’ roster,” Dempsey wrote, “the point guard’s actions over the past two years have done everything to remove himself from that space. His new reality? He’s as susceptible to the next good trade offer as any other tradeable player in the NBA.”
One such offer could come from the Celtics, per Lowe, and could even include Thomas, Boston’s best player over the second half of this season. Thomas did not start a game for the Celtics — and likely won’t leave the bench any time soon — but averaged 19.0 points and 5.4 assists per game.
“Denver will need a point guard if it deals Lawson,” Lowe wrote, “and the Celtics acquired Thomas in part because his cheapo contract is so easy to trade.”
Lowe also names the Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings as potential suitors for Lawson, who has two years remaining on his current contract.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
