The Boston Celtics’ immediate and long-term prospects have been hot themes in the NBA community recently.
The 18-time NBA champions should face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Instead, the Celtics are witnessing the Philadelphia 76ers attempt to disrupt New York and progress to the Eastern Conference Finals after losing a 3-1 series lead in the first round.
Unsurprisingly, some have encouraged the Celtics to trade Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who would be perhaps the hottest commodity on the trade market this summer. According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, Boston has already determined whether to move on from Tatum.
“Change is clearly necessary for the Celtics,” Siegel wrote on Friday. “This is not because their roster is a shambles and their players do not get along, but because of the manner in which Boston lost to Philadelphia and disintegrated in the series by dropping three games on their home court. “
“Whether or not this shift will involve important individuals such as Brown or Derrick White is the ultimate question. The Celtics would not be considering any deals involving Tatum this summer. He is the face of the franchise, and after returning sooner than many anticipated from an Achilles injury, Tatum has reclaimed his position as the team’s leader.
The Celtics are making the proper choice. If there is anyone on the Celtics’ roster who should be untouchable in terms of trade, it is Tatum.
The Duke is the heart and soul of his franchise, and the Celtics should be happy to develop around him. Boston’s inability to win with Tatum out (he missed the final two games of the Celtics’ second-round series against the Knicks last year, as well as the final game of the franchise’s first-round series against the 76ers) demonstrates how important the 28-year-old is to the Celtics.
The Celtics should be prepared to at least consider trade bids focused on Brown. Boston wants to return to the promised land where it belongs, and maybe moving on from Brown might help the team make that goal a reality.
