Read and article last night linking six teams to trade for Leonard( Sixers, Cavs,Knicks, Celtics, Brooklynn and one more.) Out of the six the Celtics have the best assessts out side of the 76’s for a trade with the spurs( 76’s picks and Celtics young assests and picks).
However if a trade happens every team is taking a risk come free agency if he stays our not
The Celts have the assets, but they have to be giddy thinking about the future of Tatum and Brown. That is two players who figure to EXCEL in the positionless wings future the NBA is speeding towards. A lot may hinge on the rest of the season, especially the lottery. If the Celts luck into pick number 2-5, they might tell the SAS to pound sand. If the pick turns into a high enough pick, they might be able to snag Bamba, who figures to be the defensive minded big they need long term. He certainly will under their HC. If I had Bamba, and the wings, to provide support for a big three of Horford, Kyrie, and Heyward, I might stand pat. In 3-4 years, the "current" superstars will take a backseat to the young guns. Or be traded for supporting assets. Or whatever.
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I'll take Tatum, Brown, and Bamba vs anyone in 5 years. ANYONE. You just need a Gary Trent level backup wing, a quality (though by no means SUPERSTAR) PG that can make threes and defend (George Hill level talent), and a rugged PF that will defend and rebound. Throw in a few journeymen backups and that is a dynasty.
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That hinges on the lottery and getting the right defensive big THIS year. If that doesn't happen (and it can't or won't next year), then the Celts might be wise to trade Tatum, and others, for KL rtfn, and try to win a few titles in the next 2-3 years, because after that, Kyrie's health concerns and Horford's age will make beating the Sixers extremely difficult, to say nothing of whatever beasts emerge from the West.
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With a good pick from the LAL this year (next year's might be towards the end of the first round), the Celts can build for a peak that will occur in 2-3 years and last for 5-8 beyond that. If they can't get a young developmental big to learn behind Horford, the Celtics' peak will have to be soon, and waiting on Tatum and Brown to "ripen" might not be worth it. If it weren't for the Sixers, I'd say Eff it, and try to build for the future. But the sixers look legit, and planning around them, WITHOUT a good young big, would be foolhardy.