As the Boston Celtics continue their up-and-down play, fans and pundits can’t resist wishing for the elusive superstar to lead the team back to prominence, despite the squad’s obvious improvement under coach Brad Stevens.
Yet while many people remain focused on DeMarcus Cousins or Kevin Durant, longshot additions via trade and free agency, respectively, they might be overlooking the player many executives reportedly consider a perfect fit for the Celtics: Carmelo Anthony.
Anthony is about as popular in Boston as a weatherman forecasting snow, but “the Celtics could acquire Anthony, their alleged go-to guy, without hurting their current team,” writes ESPN.com’s Zach Lowe. Merely speculating — although Lowe’s speculation is generally reliable, particularly relating to the Celtics — Lowe pegs a package built around David Lee and the Brooklyn Nets’ 2016 first-round pick as enough to get the Knicks thinking.
Still, it doesn’t sound like the Celtics and Knicks have discussed a deal, according to Lowe, who adds Anthony “doesn’t fit (Boston’s) developmental timeline — or Brad Stevens’ pass-happy style of play.”
Diehard Celtics fans likely are glad to hear that. Anthony’s never been a favorite among ticketholders on Causeway Street, and the outside chance Brooklyn’s pick could net LSU stud Ben Simmons is probably too much to swap for the tail end of Anthony’s prime. Anthony is far from a pushover, however, and adding one of the elite scorers in the NBA to a scrappy and defense-oriented unit could immediately vault the Celtics into Eastern Conference contention.
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has never been one to stand pat when there is a deal to be made, so don’t rule out a move — for Anthony or anyone else — at the moment you least expect it.
Thumbnail photo via Anthony Gruppuso/USA TODAY Sports Images
