Boston Celtics: “Pass or Pursue” on 6 recently listed trade targets
By Mark Nilon
Despite their best efforts to make some much-needed organizational and rotational shakeups this past summer, the Boston Celtics continue to find themselves underperforming through the first month and a half of action.
Boasting a rather pedestrian record of 9-8 the Cs are slotted down in the same range of the Eastern Conference standings as they were last year and, based on their production to date, should their personnel remain completely the same moving forward, more likely than not fans will sadly just be treated to more of the same inconsistent and erratic play.
That said, based on recent rumblings, specifically in regard to those pertaining to the report that Brad Stevens and co. have already inquired about estranged Philadelphia 76ers star, Ben Simmons, this front office might be interested in making a move at some point in the near future.
Now, while the concept of seeing the Boston Celtics nab the stud point guard could make for a great high-impact acquisition, there are plenty of other impact players out there that could be up for grabs.
Just recently, in fact, Dan Greenberg of Barstool Sports rattled off a list of six individuals who he believes could be interesting targets for the shamrocks to consider pursuing via trade this season.
With this posting, it inspired us at the Houdini to push out yet another installment of our favorite series we call “Pass or Pursue”, where we discuss whether or not the Boston Celtics should sit out on going after a specific player or if they should actively try to acquire them.
So, without further adieu, let’s get started:
Boston Celtics trade target No. 1) Garrett Temple
One of Boston’s most glaring weaknesses this season is their shooting efficiency, specifically from downtown.
With a long-range conversion rate of just 32.3 percent the Celtics currently find themselves ranked 26th in the NBA in 3-point percentage and, in regard to overall field goal percentage, are ranked 22nd with a shooting clip of just 43.9 percent.
Because of this, it is the belief of many that the front office should be targeting shooters that could potentially find their way onto the trade block at some point this season, and a rather cheap option Greenberg brought up in his piece is veteran sharpshooter, Garrett Temple.
Now in his 12th season in the league the wing finds himself logging minutes for the unbelievably putrid New Orleans Pelicans where, in 21 minutes a night, is posting averages of 5.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 39 percent shooting from deep.
This brand of shooting efficiency, coupled with his cost-efficient average salary of just $5.1 million per year through 2024 is exactly why Greenberg has Temple as a player he’s intrigued in seeing the Cs pursue.
However, while we at HH have even discussed the concept of Boston acquiring the veteran in the past, after seeing just how poor this team has played thus far into the year we believe that, if they’re going to make a move, it has to be for a player who can actually serve as a true difference-maker on the court and not just one who will serve as a stationary shooter and as another veteran presence in the locker room.
By no means are we trying to state that Garrett Temple still can’t be a quality presence and contributor on a team looking to compete. Instead, we’re simply saying that the Celtics need much more than what he provides to simply thrust themselves into the level of team that he’d make the greatest of impacts on.