True Boston Celtics fans along with sports gurus everywhere know exactly what the Celtics need in order to reach true championship contention mode.

Carmelo Anthony? For free? Sure!

DeMarcus Cousins? Only if we were guaranteed that he wouldn’t get called for a technical foul on a nightly basis. Plus, the Pelicans already acquired Cousins for next to nothing in what is considered an absolute steal.

Paul George? Getting warmer. But Larry Bird seems disinterested trading the Pacers superstar.

To contend with LeBron James and the Cavaliers this season, the Celtics need a difference maker now! But who?

Here Comes Jimmy

Mr. Jimmy Butler is absolutely balling, having a year in which he has averaged career highs in points (24.5/pg), assists (5.0/pg) and rebounds (6.3/pg) in addition to stealing the rock 1.8 times per game. Unfortunately, his Chicago Bulls have been struggling and haven’t been able to fit the right pieces around him to compete for a championship. Could he be dealt before the trade deadline today?

The Pelicans have already traded for Demarcus Cousins from the Sacramento Kings, forming the best backcourt in the league alongside Anthony Davis. The Bulls can follow suit and go into full rebuild mode, taking advantage of the Celtics’ plethora of draft picks and young talent. Over the summer, Jimmy Butler and Jae Crowder (former Marquette teammates) joked about getting traded for each other. Do you believe in déjà vu?

But There’s More…

The Celtics, Bulls, and 76ers can initiate in a three-way trade that can change the landscape of each team included.

The Celtics’ Trade With the Bulls

The Celtics will deal Jae Crowder, Jonas Jerebko, Terry Rozier and the Brooklyn Nets’ 1^st round draft pick this summer (possibly the #1 overall pick, as the Nets can’t find the bottom of the net) in exchange for Jimmy Butler.

Can the Sixers Get Involved?

The 76ers need to move their big men, but they also need a true point guard. Philadelphia will receive Rajon Rondo from the Bulls by trading away Jahlil Okafor and the Celtics will receive Nerlens Noel by giving up Kelly Olynyk and James Young.

Not only is this trade necessary to initiate the Bulls’ rebuild and the 76ers’ continued development into a playoff team, but it will also put the Celtics in true championship contention. Can Danny Ainge make a trade to form another big 3? Is championship banner number 18 coming soon to TD Garden? Let the basketball gods decide.

 

Rumor Alert!

Rumors are swirling that the Philadelphia 76ers are looking to move Nerlens Noel before the trade deadline, which falls on Thursday Feb. 23^rd at 3PM EST this season. With a logjam at the center position in Philly and an emerging need for young, talented guards, Noel could very well be the odd man out. What team could use his positional skills and have the assets to pull off a fair trade? Where will Noel go? Only time will tell…

Philadelphia 76ers Nerlens Noel (C/PF)
Born: April 10^th, 1994 (22 years old), Malden, MA
Height: 6’ 11”
Weight: 228 lbs
Skills: rebounding, rim-protection (shot blocking), defense, transition speed

 The Celtics

Over the summer, Danny Ainge, the Celtics General Manager (GM), signed Al Horford to a generous four-year $113 million contract in hopes of solving their rebounding issue. Horford is averaging a total of 6.7 rebounds per game, a career-low, and has naturally transitioned into a stretch-four big after developing a more consistent 3-point shot. Though he has played a pivotal role in boosting the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Standings to 2^nd place, right behind defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers, the Celtics are still one of the worst rebounding teams in the league- currently ranked at 27^th in rebounds per game.

Rumor has it that the Celtics were involved in trade discussions over Serge Ibaka, but the Raptors (currently 3^rd place in the Eastern Conference) succeeded in negotiations and landed the big man. Ibaka struggled to carve out a clear-cut role with the Orlando Magic after being traded there in the offseason in a deal which saw Victor Oladipo make his way to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Raptors got Ibaka shortly after hearing that Kevin Love, one of Cleveland’s star players, has been sidelined for at least six weeks with a knee injury.

The trade deadline is approaching quickly, so if the Celtics want to upgrade their roster in order to better compete with the NBA elites (especially in the paint), they must act soon.

Nerlens Noel grabbed 8.1 rebounds per game in his first two seasons, averaging about 30 minutes per game. This season, he’s been reduced to a frustrating bench role averaging 19 minutes per game. Nerlens Noel is averaging 9.3 RPG per 36 minutes, but he has only averaged 4.9 RPG with his minutes restriction. At this point in time, it is unclear if Noel will be a part of the 76ers’ future, and GM Bryan Colangelo is looking to find a deal that satisfies both parties.

For the Celtics, who better to acquire than the 76ers’ disgruntled big man, Nerlens Noel? Colangelo is looking for potential suitors for a fair deal to process as Noel will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Celtics have a plethora of young talents and the second-most assets (right after the 76ers) in the NBA. One question remains, however: who/what do the 76ers want in return to make it a fair deal?

Though the Celtics love Terry Rozier, it looks like they would have to give him up in order for this deal to be processed. One of the best rookies in the summer league, Rozier is starting to gain a consistent role on the squad, making up for the loss of Evan Turner in the offseason. On defense, he is very active with his hands and feet and is able to move quickly to get in front of defenders. His athleticism is put on display when he grabs tough rebounds with his leaping ability. His passing and shooting are improving thanks to his strong work ethic and passion for the game.

A trade paired with James Young, who has been valuable off the bench as of late, should work out.

Hollinger’s analysis does not predict a change in wins for either team, but as both teams are receiving young talent and don’t have the room to grow these players further, it would be the perfect trade. If either team is stingy, they both have enough picks to sweeten the deal.

This trade works in ESPN’s trade machine, but if you have a better idea like the possibility of a Jahlil Okafor move instead of Noel, I would love to know in the comments below!

It’s no secret that Noel’s hometown is Everett, MA, close to a fifteen minute drive away from TD Garden, home of the Boston Celtics. On social media, Noel has shown love for the city of Boston and its sports, routing for the New England Patriots and even admitting that he grew up as a Celtics fan.  The Celtics are in dire need of a rebounding big to better contend for a championship and the 76ers need talented young guards in exchange, or else they risk losing Noel in free agency.