The Celtics may make a major move Thursday before the trade deadline. It’s what Danny Ainge should do. This team is lifeless too often and too talented at the top to just ride this out.
Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier have been connected to the Celtics leading up to the deadline. But this team has more issues than one trade will likely solve.
I spoke with an NBA scout (who will remain anonymous) Wednesday night to get his thoughts on Gordon, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Brad Stevens, Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart.
Question: Aaron Gordon is seemingly the biggest target for the Celtics heading into the NBA Trade Deadline. Has Gordon already peaked as a player? What are your thoughts on Gordon and his potential fit with Boston?
NBA Scout: “I think that he is an extremely gifted athlete and basketball player. In Orlando, I don’t think that he has reached his full potential for a variety of reasons. Their roster construction has made it difficult for him to showcase or reach his full potential.
"As we will address in a later question my biggest concern for the Celtics in trading for Gordon would be the price they will pay. Smart will most likely be in the deal and I think the Celtics and their fans should be careful in underestimating what Smart means to them emotionally."
Question: A lot of Celtics fans are blaming Brad Stevens for not getting the most of this team. Brad's stock as an NBA coach has cooled off. How does the league view Brad Stevens? Is he still excellent at BLOBs, SLOBs and ATOs?
NBA Scout: “Brad is extremely smart and thoughtful. He is widely respected in the NBA. In my opinion he is a Top 5 head coach in the NBA.”
Question: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the only "untouchables" on the current roster. Do you lean one way or the other in terms of the talent and ceiling with these two guys who are 23 and 24 years old respectively?
NBA Scout: “Both are incredible players who I would love to have on my team. Tatum has the potential to be an MVP in the NBA at some point in his career so I would lean toward him, but Brown is an excellent player as well.”
Question: Marcus Smart is the "heart and soul" of the Celtics roster. Some Boston fans wouldn't trade him for LeBron while others think his shot selection kills momentum for the team. What do you think about Smart's game?
NBA Scout: “Too much emphasis is put on what Smart does (or doesn’t do) on the floor. His value to the Celtics is not what he does on the floor. His grit, toughness, and leadership is something that has been very important for them for years. Having a guy like him in the locker room to take an emotional leadership burden off of their two young and talented stars is very valuable”
Question: Kemba Walker is in the middle of a massive contract but still can only play in the first game of back-to-backs. He was a defensive liability in the playoffs in the Orlando bubble. Can Kemba return to being the player he was in Charlotte?
NBA Scout: “Lower body injuries are always a concern, but even more so for players who rely on quickness or athleticism. As an undersized player Kemba’s quickness was a huge factor in his effectiveness. Without having more details of his injury it is hard to speculate on his chances of returning to the production level he had in Charlotte, but it is a MAJOR concern.”