According to reports, Kawhi Leonard has already expressed to his team their need for a shot-making point guard.
“They clearly need a point guard. Everybody knows it and Kawhi Leonard privately has clamored for one,” Smith said on ESPN’s First Take.
In a trade suggested by Hardwood Houdini’s Andrew Hughes, he details a scenario that could result in them accomplishing that goal — by getting Kemba Walker — for the price of their swingman star, Paul George and Landry Shamet.
If the Paul George situation really is that bad, collecting a few draft picks to go along with a franchise point guard [Kemba Walker] under contract for the next three seasons is a good way to save face from what history would look back at as a disastrous transaction.
Daniel Theis would be a solid addition at the center position if Montrezl Harrell walks in free agency. If Leonard bolts, Theis could also hit the open market having played on a likely top team out west.
For Boston, they get a quality star wing player to plug alongside Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Not only would bringing George aboard build the best wing trio in recent history, but rugged defender Landry Shamet would join the green and white as well. Shamet’s presence would enable the Cs to start Marcus Smart alongside the new star wing trio and the third-year wing would handle ball duties for the second unit.
Shedding the final three years of Kemba Walker may be a prudent move given his recent injury history, and Daniel Theis could fetch an unreasonable salary next summer. Given the Cs’ tax woes, giving up draft picks to immediately upgrade the roster would be a necessary sacrifice given how close the team seems to be to breaking through.
As a team on the verge of being major contenders in the East, a few more moves might be enough to put the Celtics over the top.
It will be interesting to see what transpires in the weeks and months ahead.
