Assessing each team as Dec. 15th expands trade scenarios

Boston Celtics

Players now eligible: Dennis Schroder and Enes Freedom

Clearly, the Celtics need more playmakers so it seems unlikely Schoder is going anywhere and doubtful teams would be lining up for Freedom (although hello that name is the best).

I’m still buying stock on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown together but something doesn’t fit in Boston and it feels like they need more playmaking. Instead of Marcus Smart putting the onus on the two young guys is it that far-fetched to think the missing ingredient is a playmaking point guard?

Ummmm – hello Ben Simmons. That trio feels like they would be perfect together because Simmons would prefer not to shoot while Tatum and Brown would be happy to dominate scoring.

Or course, the issue is Daryl Morey would want Brown as part of the package and likely wouldn’t be interested in much else Brad Stevens has to offer.

Going back to the season the Celtics youngsters overachieved while Kyrie Irving was out injured what was different? Certainly, since that season they’ve been seeking a point guard that would make things work but are we undervaluing the effect Gordon Hayward had for that team? In the two seasons he played for the Celtis, they reached the conference semis and the conference finals.

This leads me to believe the Celtics need a player or two players who are willing to be the catalyst to putting the offense in motion. A Chris Paul or Kyle Lowry type point guard and someone of the same ilk as Hayward.

Boston is one of eight teams with (three) large trade exceptions they can exercise in a deal. Each would have to be used individually but include $17.2, $9.8, and $5 million dollar exceptions.