Listen, I'm about sick and tired of all these rumors with the Celtics and day after day nothing happening. So without further ado, here is my complete breakdown of most the big name players that have been linked to the Celtics. And keep in mind this is all BS because Kevin Durant should already be a Celtic and we shouldn't be in this situation. So why not start with his counterpart.
Russell Westbrook
There has been an unbelievable amount of talk about the Celtics and getting Westbrook. Let me start by saying this is beyond a long shot. If you read my Blog about KD to the Warriors, I said at the end that its beyond a long shot because the rumors were just starting at the time; and they still haven't gained any traction really since. There is definitely some interest in both teams as to why a trade with Westbrook could happen. For the Thunder, they just lost a hometowner in Kevin Durant, and don't want to see Russell Westbrook do the same thing and walk next summer when he's a Free Agent. It's not a certainty that he will resign with them, so why not try to get a decent load back in return and start from scratch now that these two are gone? No one else can offer as much to the Thunder as the Celtics can, and no one is going to give the Thunder too much until they have a guarentee that they will keep Westbrook after next summer. There have been alot of rumors going around as to what exactly it could be for Westbrook. I've heard anything from Isiah, the 2017 pick, Smart and Rozier, to Avery Bradley, the 2017 pick, Crowder, Smart and something else. We just have no idea as to what it will entail, but obviously the Celtics won't pay that last price. I'd assume that the trade would start with a package of the 2017 pick, Marcus Smart or Avery Bradley and then they'll go from there. But who knows, I could be wrong. Id say there's about a 10% chance of them landing Westbrook.
Blake Griffen
The next superstar name that has been running around is Blake Griffen. The Clippers superstar is coming off of an injury filled season, and the talks of trading him to the likes of the Thunder or Celtics have been rolling around.What I have heard is that the Clippers and Celtics haven't talked about a possible Blake trade at ALL, and if you believe that then you're an idiot. It definitely also makes sense as to why they may be shopping him, because like Westbrook, he is a Free Agent next summer. If they can also get a good haul for him, it may be worth the try. Some things flying around which included a three team trade with the Kings, Celtics and Clippers, where the Cs would land Griffen, Kings get Crowder and picks, and the Clippers get Rudy Gay and picks. Nothing was said about which picks or where this came from, but it doesn't make much sense for the Clips unless they got the 2017 pick from the Cs and Rudy Gay from the Kings and some. I definitely think the rumors are running dry, as the new rumors appear to be Blake joining Westbrook in OKC now, but I wouldn't say it is out of the question. I'd say theres a 15% chance of them landing Griffen.
Jahlil Okafor
Okafor is an offensive monster. Although it doesn't make sense for the 76ers to have three big men at the same position and not try to shop one around. It would make alot of sense for the Cs to persue Okafor because he's the big man presence and scorer that they are trying to fill. Adding Okafor moves newly acquired Al Horford to the 4 instead of having to grind down low playing the 5 with the biggest man on the floor night in and night out. He also would be a good duo with Isiah but he's a very selfish player, and it's also not sure what they would give up. The Sixers have Joel Embid coming back and Nerlens Noel being a defensive animal, and Okafor's off the court worries is what scares teams; including me. The dude got into a fight last year outside a bar (when he was only 20) one night after they played the Celtics. Imagine him night in and night out in Boston after all their home games? Yikes. I'd say theres about a 20% chance they land Okafor though.
Jimmy Butler
He isn't leaving Chicago now that they signed DWade and Rondo. But he's a selfish type player anyway. Wouldn't of fit with this unselfish system. Stay in Chicago.
DeMarcus Cousins
I've always wondered when Boogie Cousins was going to decide it's time to leave the Kings and demand a trade. He may be in his prime and may be the best big man in the league. There have been a few rumors out there with the Celtics and Boogie, but I kind of just threw him in here for fun. Another selfish player in Cousins, the Celtics could use a big man like himself to dominate the glass and add offensive flow as a 5. I'd say theres about a 5% chance at most they land Boogie
Russell Westbrook
There has been an unbelievable amount of talk about the Celtics and getting Westbrook. Let me start by saying this is beyond a long shot. If you read my Blog about KD to the Warriors, I said at the end that its beyond a long shot because the rumors were just starting at the time; and they still haven't gained any traction really since. There is definitely some interest in both teams as to why a trade with Westbrook could happen. For the Thunder, they just lost a hometowner in Kevin Durant, and don't want to see Russell Westbrook do the same thing and walk next summer when he's a Free Agent. It's not a certainty that he will resign with them, so why not try to get a decent load back in return and start from scratch now that these two are gone? No one else can offer as much to the Thunder as the Celtics can, and no one is going to give the Thunder too much until they have a guarentee that they will keep Westbrook after next summer. There have been alot of rumors going around as to what exactly it could be for Westbrook. I've heard anything from Isiah, the 2017 pick, Smart and Rozier, to Avery Bradley, the 2017 pick, Crowder, Smart and something else. We just have no idea as to what it will entail, but obviously the Celtics won't pay that last price. I'd assume that the trade would start with a package of the 2017 pick, Marcus Smart or Avery Bradley and then they'll go from there. But who knows, I could be wrong. Id say there's about a 10% chance of them landing Westbrook.
Blake Griffen
The next superstar name that has been running around is Blake Griffen. The Clippers superstar is coming off of an injury filled season, and the talks of trading him to the likes of the Thunder or Celtics have been rolling around.What I have heard is that the Clippers and Celtics haven't talked about a possible Blake trade at ALL, and if you believe that then you're an idiot. It definitely also makes sense as to why they may be shopping him, because like Westbrook, he is a Free Agent next summer. If they can also get a good haul for him, it may be worth the try. Some things flying around which included a three team trade with the Kings, Celtics and Clippers, where the Cs would land Griffen, Kings get Crowder and picks, and the Clippers get Rudy Gay and picks. Nothing was said about which picks or where this came from, but it doesn't make much sense for the Clips unless they got the 2017 pick from the Cs and Rudy Gay from the Kings and some. I definitely think the rumors are running dry, as the new rumors appear to be Blake joining Westbrook in OKC now, but I wouldn't say it is out of the question. I'd say theres a 15% chance of them landing Griffen.
Jahlil Okafor
Okafor is an offensive monster. Although it doesn't make sense for the 76ers to have three big men at the same position and not try to shop one around. It would make alot of sense for the Cs to persue Okafor because he's the big man presence and scorer that they are trying to fill. Adding Okafor moves newly acquired Al Horford to the 4 instead of having to grind down low playing the 5 with the biggest man on the floor night in and night out. He also would be a good duo with Isiah but he's a very selfish player, and it's also not sure what they would give up. The Sixers have Joel Embid coming back and Nerlens Noel being a defensive animal, and Okafor's off the court worries is what scares teams; including me. The dude got into a fight last year outside a bar (when he was only 20) one night after they played the Celtics. Imagine him night in and night out in Boston after all their home games? Yikes. I'd say theres about a 20% chance they land Okafor though.
Jimmy Butler
He isn't leaving Chicago now that they signed DWade and Rondo. But he's a selfish type player anyway. Wouldn't of fit with this unselfish system. Stay in Chicago.
DeMarcus Cousins
I've always wondered when Boogie Cousins was going to decide it's time to leave the Kings and demand a trade. He may be in his prime and may be the best big man in the league. There have been a few rumors out there with the Celtics and Boogie, but I kind of just threw him in here for fun. Another selfish player in Cousins, the Celtics could use a big man like himself to dominate the glass and add offensive flow as a 5. I'd say theres about a 5% chance at most they land Boogie
Overall, I'd say out of any of the guys listed about, Okafor will be the best chance of a trade with the Cs. I hope they can pull the trigger and make a move for a Westbrook and/or Blake for the right price. However even if they don't get a big man this offseason, I believe they will get Gordon Heyward next year as he will rejoin his college coach in Brad Stevens (I'm hoping). This will move Al to the 5 however, assuming Olynyk can't play it or is traded. There's still so much time left and the Celtics still have all the trade tools in effect, along with certain young players showing signs of life in summer league like Terry Rozier. Let's hope Trader Danny can pull some strings and we don't have to wait a year or two to compete for a Championship.