The Boston Celtics have so far chalked up 25 wins in the season and are strong bets to make the playoffs, which should explain why coach Brad Stevens would want to fill in a few slots on the roster before the February 6 deadline. The Greens are likely to add another swingman or a highly reliable center.
That is likely because of the imposing presence on the court by the likes of Joel Embiid. It appears that Boston would want to start the 2020 playoff campaign with a similar asset that the Sixers enjoy. The Celtics want somebody in the mold of Embiid or close to the big man character.
On this, the Celtics are laser-focused on Andre Drummond. According to Bleacher Report, Boston has already made clear the team's serious interest in Drummond, currently a big man asset for the Detroit Pistons.
It's unclear, however, if the seeking Boston would be willing to make trade offers as it no secret that GM Danny Ainge has no intention of making his prized assets available even for more mere inquiries. That would mean Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, and Marcus Smart can be considered as untouchables by interested teams.
If indeed Boston is planning one or two acquisitions in the next few weeks, the course that the team will likely take is via the buyout market, the report added.
At the same time though, it seemed hard to imagine that Boston is bent on running after players in the caliber of Drummond and not consider opening up its roster for trade partners to appreciate. It is not rocket science that to win somebody like Drummond, a suitor must be willing to pay the price.
On Boston's part, it might be the possibility of offering a Gordon Hayward on the table. But then again, the Celtics are doing great in the season with the core players now on board so there is no pressing reason to force a deal, however compelling it might be.
One example is the Thunder swingman Danilo Gallinari, who according to Clutch Points has been under the radar of the Celtics. Gallinari is wanted because he is "a legitimate scorer," the report said, adding that the forward is set to enter the free agency market as unrestricted this summer.
Gallinari is converting 18 points per game in the season for OKC with more than decent numbers in the rebound and assist departments. He is seen as not a very aggressive players but Boston seems convinced he'd be quite useful spacing out the floor and become part of the rotation that chiefly involves Brown, Tatum, and Hayward.
