The Boston Celtics suffered a devastating end to their playoff run in the 2022-23 season, failing to compete with the Miami Heat in Game 7. The Celtics knew they were fighting against history, coming back and forcing a Game 7, but the way they showed up was simply embarrassing. Jayson Tatum rolled his ankle in the first minute of the game and that set the tone for the rest of the game because Jaylen Brown (eight turnovers) was simply atrocious and incapable of making up for the superstar’s injury. As a result, Boston heads into summer with a ton of questions surrounding the roster and about Brown specifically. Even with Brown’s struggles and the criticism coming his way, the Celtics might be forced to retain the All-NBA Second Team member.
This season has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for the Celtics, with some highs and lows including almost losing in the second round to the Philadelphia 76ers and getting bounced by an 8th seed in the Miami Heat despite having one of the best comebacks in recent memory. This summer, the team may be looking at the possibility of blockbuster trades to take them to the next level. The Boston Celtics finished this past season with a 57-25 record and had two players make the All-NBA First and Second Team.
The upcoming offseason could pose some crucial decisions for the Celtics as they try to rebuild and re-tool for the future. With plenty of cap space, draft assets, and some talented players on the roster, the team has the flexibility to explore multiple avenues in the trade market and free agency. One of the key areas the Celtics are looking to improve in is their size and scoring at the center position. The team struggled in certain parts of the postseason, particularly in terms of getting production from their bigs.
With the NBA becoming more of an efficiency-centric league, it’s important that the Celtics address this issue if they are to challenge the top teams in the East. There have been rumors circulating regarding potential trades that the Celtics could make this summer. One name that’s been frequently mentioned is Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Towns is one of the most talented bigs in the league and could significantly improve the Celtics’ frontcourt. Since the big man might actually be available, Boston can go all-in next season by trading for the 3-time All-Star.
The Celtics have some important decisions to make this summer. With the right moves, they can put themselves back in the hunt for an NBA championship, and a trade for Karl-Anthony Towns makes sense for the franchise.
Trade Details
Boston Celtics Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, Derrick White, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2026 First-Round Pick
In what could be the biggest blockbuster deal of the summer, Boston can create a Big Three with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown returning as the dynamic duo. There won’t likely be a bigger deal than this in the summer, and both teams can actually benefit in terms of title-contending and also re-tooling rosters.
Celtics Create A Big Three With Karl-Anthony Towns
The Boston Celtics are definitely a team to be reckoned with in the NBA, given their impressive track record of success despite the fact that they were blown out in Game 7 against the Heat. They have a talented roster that includes superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who have established themselves as two of the most dynamic players in the league. However, if they want to take their game to the next level, they must acquire Karl-Anthony Towns, who would perfectly complement their existing talent.
First and foremost, Towns is a bona fide superstar and one of the most dominant big men in the NBA. He has averaged 23.0 PPG, 11.2 RPG, and 3.2 APG throughout his career while shooting an impressive 52.6% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc which are elite shooting numbers. Towns is a versatile offensive threat, with the ability to score from the post, mid-range, and even the three-point line, which would add a new dimension to Boston’s offense. Moreover, Towns is a s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed and disciplined defender who can protect the rim and guard multiple positions. More so than the aging Al Horford and the limited Robert Williams, Towns is actually a threat to score when given the ball and asked to create.
Towns might also be more versatile on defense. He has shown the ability to alter shots and make timely blocks, while also having the quickness to switch onto smaller players. This versatility on the defensive end would greatly benefit the Celtics and enable them to play an aggressive style of defense against their opponents instead of going through the motions. When paired with Tatum and Brown, Towns would form an elite Big Three that would be nearly impossible for opposing teams to stop.
Tatum has already shown himself to be one of the best scorers in the league, while Brown has emerged as a two-way star who can put up big numbers on both ends of the floor. With Towns in the mix, these three players would form a formidable trio that would rival any other in the league. No other team in the East would have three All-Stars in their prime and that includes the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers who won’t be able to compete with this type of talent.
Minnesota Rebuild With Three Players To Place Around Anthony Edwards And Rudy Gobert
On the surface, the proposed trade package for Karl-Anthony Towns appears to be a significant one for the Timberwolves, as it includes three promising players with various s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, as well as two future draft picks. Marcus Smart is known for his tenacious defense and versatile scoring, having won the Defensive Player of the Year award last season. Meanwhile, Robert Williams has shown glimpses of becoming a dominant defender and rebounder and he is only 25 years old with a ton of upside. Derrick White, also, is a solid combo guard who can shoot from a distance and facilitate the offense. White’s game-winner in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals also placed him on the map as a clutch performer on both ends of the court.
Adding two future picks to the mix could provide Minnesota with additional assets to build a more competitive team in the long run. Minnesota had a historical haul offered to the Utah Jazz to bring in Gobert, so bringing in two picks could improve the franchise’s stash which was heavily depleted. However, no doubt, the three players that will come in are the major factors of a potential blockbuster deal.
Pairing Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert with these new players could help the Timberwolves become a more competitive and well-rounded team. With Edwards and Smart playing on the perimeter and Williams and Gobert providing interior defense, the Wolves would have a formidable defense, while still having the firepower and flexibility to score points in a variety of ways. This deal ultimately depends on their long-term vision and goals. If they believe that they can rebuild and improve by acquiring these players and picks, then it may be worth considering.
It might be time for Edwards to continue performing at an All-Star level and be given the reins to be the first option for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Along with Gobert playing defense with Smart, White, and Williams fortifying that end as well, Minnesota will improve upon their 18th-ranked defense in terms of OPPG. The Timberwolves need to move on from Towns and a package that brings in three players could be the best way forward.
A Blockbuster Deal That Shakes Up The Eastern Conference
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s outstanding play on both ends of the floor, coupled with Marcus Smart, Al Horford, and Derrick White’s superior defense, were key factors in the Boston Celtics’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals. The nucleus of the roster undoubtedly had an impressive season together, forcing the Miami Heat to a Game 7 before failing to make the NBA Finals again. There is no denying that the Celtics’ Finals defeat was painful because they came out as underprepared and once again immature against the tough-minded Heat.
Malcolm Brogdon was a huge addition, but even then, it must be mentioned that there are no guarantees that the Boston Celtics will make the NBA Finals again. As a result, Boston needs to make a major move to get a step over these franchises, and Karl-Anthony Towns is arguably the best player for the Celtics right now. He is a walking double-double and at only 27 years old, he fits in Boston’s core with Tatum (25) and Brown (26) around a similar age.
Minnesota also wants a chance to recoup some of the first-round picks they were forced to give up in the Rudy Gobert deal while also getting back assets in return to push the team past the first round of the playoffs. Trading a franchise star in Towns won’t be easy since he was taken No. 1 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, but it must be necessary to allow Anthony Edwards to take over the franchise going forward.
As great as this deal could shape up for the Timberwolves, the Celtics have a Big Three that will almost certainly push them to the NBA Finals again as Malcolm Brogdon will also be retained along with Al Horford and Grant Williams. The Celtics can create a very talented starting lineup with Brogdon, Brown, Tatum, Horford, and Towns. Boston needs to make a major change to get back on top of the East and Towns could provide them with exactly that.
