On My Way to the Great American West

There has been a lot of talk about the Celtics’ ‘great interest’ in centers

The Boston Celtics have a decision to make before the trade deadline on February 8 that, if they make the incorrect one, might prevent them from winning the championship this season.

If Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford aren’t available in the playoffs, will they rely on small-ball possibilities like Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta to play the pivot?

Could they make up for losing one of their top two center players with a smaller-scale move similar to the one they made last February, when they acquired Mike Muscala at the deadline, or by adding a player on the buyout market?

If the C’s decide to step it up, they can bolster their rotation with their first-round picks from 2024–2027 and three second-round picks from the following draft.

According to the Stepien Rule, which prohibits teams from exchanging players before the first round in consecutive drafts, any proposal must adhere to this rule. Having the first-round pick of another team, though, would guarantee a franchise a spot in the next season. Additionally, teams are not penalized for missing the first round in prior years because this rule only considers future events.

If Boston could use their draft picks to acquire a versatile player capable of playing both four and five positions, it would be a dream team.

Additionally, on the same day that NBA insider Shams Charania stated, “the Celtics will be active in the trade market to pursue bench help,” James Edwards III, who covers the Detroit Pistons for The Athletic, writes that the Celtics have “shown great interest” in Isaiah Stewart.

Edwards adds the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder to his list of such clubs.

During the summer, he said, Boston checked in with the Pistons on Stewart. This was in June.

A 22-year-old from Rochester, New York, he plays pivot and starts at four for the Detroit Lions. He has become more effective from beyond the arc, making 36.7% of his 3.6 three-point tries this season, adding to his 10.2 points and 6.8 rebounds for the season.

Stewart is a perfect addition thanks to his skills on the court, but he is subject to a pоisоn pill limitation until July 1, 2024, and a $60 million extension that begins next season kicks in after two years.