If the Celtics had just waived Jarvis Varnado, no one would have batted an eye. The fact that they waived Kris Joseph, a kid they were pretty high on over the summer… well… we’re batting eyes all over the joint.
Suddenly, the Celtics have gone from “we don’t want to pay guys guaranteed money to do nothing” to “…….. what the F are these guys up to?”….. and CSNNE’s Sherrod Blakely just showed up to campfire with a bucket full of kerosene.
Two league sources contacted on Sunday said that the Celtics will look to bolster their rocket via a multi-player trade.
And now that the C’s are starting to play better, the C’s will have more attractive trading pieces to work with.
While it’s unlikely the Celtics will look to move any member of their big Three – Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett – league sources confirmed that there’s “growing” interest in Courtney Lee who might become more expendable with the return of Avery Bradley.
Brandon Bass is another possible Celtic on the move, one league source said.
“But it’s not like the Celtics are shopping those guys,” the second source said. “They have some good players who haven’t played as well I think as those players would want or what the Celtics expected.”
He brought some gunpowder too.
#Celticstalk: The name that keeps coming up with everyone I speak with about the #Celtics and trades, is #Kings stud DeMarcus Cousins.
— A. Sherrod Blakely (@SherrodbCSN) January 7, 2013
Oh boy.
Before you flip out…. Steve Bulpett is here to play Smokey the Bear (yeah, I’m really committed to this fire analogy here… )
According to league sources, the Celtics have, indeed, inquired about Cousins, but that shouldn’t come as a great revelation in that they, like most every NBA club, are constantly checking the marketplace to see if a bargain can be had.
Word is, however, that the Kings are asking for a high draft pick and people who can help them now. So, forgetting the fact the Celts’ first-round pick will be middle of the road at best, would you want to part with a young starter (and more) for someone as uncertain as Cousins?
Considering the talent the Kings already have in the backcourt, it’s possible the Celtics can’t even muster something that would be attractive enough for Sacramento — at least not at this moment. And you’d have to question whether you’d give up even equal talent for this guy, his abilities notwithstanding. What we know right now is that the Kings aren’t inclined to hold a fire sale.
Also keep in mind that Cousins just had a dominant week in Sacto… including a 30/20 game. I’m not sure the C’s have the guys the Kings are interested in to give up a 6’11 guy who drops a triple double and a 30/20 game in a matter of a few days.
The Celtics very well may have just cut these guys to save a few bucks. We know they’re very close to the tax threshold… and those spots will be better served going to guys who’ll help win now.
I will say this…
The Celtics just beat two of the top four teams in the East displaying the stingy Celtics defense they’re known for. The return of Avery Bradley is, indeed, starting to have the intended effect of putting key pieces in places that can help this team. The Celtics may well be asking around to see who’s interested in making a move…. that’s Danny Ainge’s job and he’s been very open about the fact that he’ll always answer the phone. But even Sherrod’s source says the C’s are NOT shopping guys.
It’s possible there’s a deal being explored. I’m betting dollars to donuts that it’s not the one everyone’s passing around as some twitpic involving the Kings and Lakers. But in the end, this may end up being a cost-cutting move with nothing major following behind it.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
