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Rumors are circulating that the Boston Celtics have their eyes on Jazz star big man Rudy Gobert, and it could be a game-changer. Head coach Brad Stevens has plenty of guards, but the team is thin at center. And with approximately one million forwards to spare, Boston has some pieces that could make a trade happen.
Insert Rudy Gobert.
The Celtics are weighing the idea of trading for Jazz center Rudy Gobert, source tells me.
— Ross 🏀 (@LegionHoopsRoss) October 29, 2020
There’s belief within the Celtics organization that trading for a center this offseason is a priority.
The acquisition of Gobert would make Boston astronomically better. The young Tacko Fall and veteran Daniel Theis currently just aren’t cutting it in the paint. Celtics fans are starting to lose their patience, falling to more well rounded rosters in the Conference Finals. Their dismal play at center is largely why they couldn’t pass Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat this year. Jaylen Brown has been a key contributor in Boston and could headline a trade for Gobert.
Why now?
The recent reconstruction of the Boston roster might remind fans of the 2014 Phoenix Suns squad, which featured Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas. It had plenty of talent, but most of it was concentrated in one position. It was stupid. Everyone clowned Suns owner Robert Sarver for collecting point guards while neglecting everything else, yet we’re watching Boston make the same mistake at the forward position.
It’s time for the Celtics to trade that wing depth and find a big man that can hide some of Kemba Walker’s defensive shortcomings. A great defensive center in the NBA is like high quality make-up. A poor defensive guard like Kemba Walker is like bad skin. If the Boston Celtics want a date with the NBA Finals, they best make themselves beautiful with Rudy Gobert.
They might need a 3rd team. Trading a package that included Kemba Walker makes the salaries roughly match I think, but the Jazz already have a scoring PG in Donovan Mitchell. The Jazz may want Jaylen Brown in return. Maybe the main pieces could be something like Gobert and PG Mike Connolly for Kemba and Brown.
Not watching