The Celtics lost 106-117 to the Hawks tonight and fell to 29-18 for the season. They have been struggling to find consistency recently after a hot start to the season.
Ever since they traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks, one of the biggest gaps, other than Jayson Tatum’s absence, that prevents the Celtics from being considered title contenders is the lack of size inside the paint in terms of a veteran center who is reliable to perform consistently.
According to HoopsHype’s NBA insider Mike A. Scotto, the Celtics tried to address this issue by trying to lure the Clippers to trade Ivica Zubac.
“When the Clippers were struggling with a 6-21 record to begin the season, the Celtics inquired about an exploratory framework around Simons, a first-round pick, and a future first-round pick swap for Ivica Zubac and salary filler, which didn’t gain any traction, league sources told HoopsHype,” wrote Scotto in his latest report.
Ivica Zubac is a nightly double-double threat, currently averaging 14.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 40 games this season, while shooting an efficient 60.6% from the field.
When the Clippers were struggling at 6-21 for the season, almost the entire NBA world was urging them to blow it up. The Celtics may have therefore seen an opportunity where they could capitalize and bring a valuable asset to Boston.
However, the Clippers showed no interest at that time, seemingly because the team owner Steve Ballmer is obsessed with the roster core of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac.
Moreover, the Clippers are flooded with young guards and would have to resort to starting with the 37-year-old Brook Lopez as
Yanic Niederhauser hasn’t earned that role yet. Therefore, the Clippers would not gain anything from letting Zubac go.
Things have changed for the Celtics as well in how they perceive Simons on the team since then. Scotto confirmed in his report that the Celtics are no longer willing to part with a future first-round pick simply to get rid of Simons’ contract, who has slowly become a dependable sixth man for the team coming off the bench.
So far this season, he is averaging 13.9 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 43.8% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc.
The lack of size inside the paint is costing the Celtics in the long run. Even if by some miracle they get Jayson Tatum back in action this season playing at a high level, even then, the lack of a reliable scoring option inside the paint and underneath the post would seriously dent their championship hopes, if any.
