At 23-22 on the season, the Boston Celtics are not having the season they hoped for. From opening night, inconsistency has defined their campaign and both fans and analysts alike have grown increasingly concerned about the future of the team.
So, with February’s trade deadline approaching, it seems reasonable to expect a number of moves from the Celtics as they look to repair a broken and unstable roster.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown aren’t going anywhere. Rather, it could be Marcus Smart who ends up getting shipped.
“It’s to build around Jaylen Brown-Jayson Tatum, not to break those two up,” Woj said on NBA Today. “The hard part for Boston is what are the other tradeable assets that they’re willing to move on from? They don’t want to trade Robert Williams, their young center. That’s a player that they really see at the center of what they’re doing moving forward.
But I think Marcus Smart, some of the young players on the roster, second- and third-year guards/forwards, I think they’re seeing what the value for those players out there. Josh Richardson, but I’m not sure. Dennis Schroder — that’s a player I think if they can keep building up his value. … I think those are all players available on the marketplace.”
Smart, 27, isn’t nearly on the level of Brown or Tatum. But his defensive prowess gives the Celtics a notable force on that end of the floor. Still, his frustration with Boston’s current situation is no secret.
Earlier in the season, he infamously called out his teammates for a stagnant offense and called on them to get others more involved.
“Every team knows we’re trying to go to Jayson and Jaylen. Every team is programmed and studied to stop Jayson and Jaylen. I think everybody’s scouting report is to make those guys pass the ball. They don’t want to pass the ball. That’s something that they’re going to learn. They’re still learning.”
Those statements set a wrong tone from the very beginning and it could still be lingering in the locker room now. In a trade, the Celtics could solve a potential locker room problem and acquire a fresh talent at the same.
Only time will tell what the future holds in store for the Cs, but don’t be surprised if they end up shaking things up at the deadline. Unfortunately, the team is in desperate need of change.
