Celtics Trade Deadline Preview

I've been courageously battling the flu this week, but I had to get this up today. Now, this may become obsolete very quickly. It may even become obsolete as I'm writing. But still, I had to give my take on the big rumors surrounding the Celtics for today's trade deadline. I love trade deadline day in virtually every sport because it's the best time for crazy and foolish moves to take place. Teams like the Kings who, for some unknown reason, still think they're like the 2 seed in the West, will make stupid, win-now desperation moves that we all can mock. Or smart teams, like the 2008 Lakers (who had an assist from the hapless Grizzlies) will make moves that propel them from middle of the pack teams to legit contenders. The Celtics are in an interesting spot this year. They have a young, overachieving team that plays an entertaining style and goes all out for their coach. They have a million first round picks over the next few seasons that, given the Nets' current state, could produce some great talent. They're also the 3-seed in the East and have a legit chance of making the conference finals, but are one big-time player away from being able to push Cleveland to the brink. So, what to do? Let's look at the three names that have come up as possible trade targets and see if it would be a good idea to acquire them.

Dwight Howard

This right here is my worst nightmare. I've never made any bones about it: I hate Dwight Howard more passionately than I've ever hated anyone. He's a coach killing, team ditching, crybaby, soft as baby poo mental midget with the fakest personality in Houston (and that's saying something, considering he shares a city with J.J. Watt) and a horrible attitude. And now he's getting kicked out of games left and right. And, on top of all that, he sucks. He can't do anything on offense besides dunk and mope around when he doesn't get the ball. He's awful from the line and has negative post moves. As in, he has such little ability on the block that it creates a small black hole that sucks out any aesthetically pleasing or effective basketball any time he tries one of his disgusting running hooks that invariably brick off the side of the rim. He's garbage. And once you factor in that I, a six foot, overweight white guy, am positive that I could bully him, the most physically imposing playing in the NBA, that's a bad thing. He's never going to win anything and I can't imagine a greater joy than watching him fake laugh through his Hall of Fame speech while he's clearly dead on the inside. Don't trade for Dwight.


Kevin Love

It's one thing to get a guy surrounded by controversy. Someone who's on-the-court antics or press conferences cause drama with the media. Sometimes, it's good to get someone like that, someone who might be a little crazy (like DeMarcus Cousins. Man, he would look good in green). It's another thing entirely when the controversy is about Instagram pictures. Unsurprisingly, being around Lebron has sapped Kevin Love of any redeeming qualities and has turned him into a mentally soft, one dimensional player with the attitude of a teenage girl. He's completely abandoned his inside game to appease overlord James, and I don't really see him going back. There's no pressure if you just huck 3s, and it seems like the only white Hooper (wonder what happened there?) likes it when there's no pressure. He's actually got the best defensive rating of his career this season, but he's miles away from being an interior stopper. Bottom line is he's just a stats guy. He'll get you double doubles, but he won't get you wins. And he's got stupid looking hair. Don't trade for Love.


Al Horford

Now we have a palatable trade. I love Al Horford. Despite being a four time all star, he's still criminally underrated. I like to think of him as the East's version of Marc Gasol. His final stat line might not wow you, but if you watch him all game, or dive deep into the stats, his impact is obvious. He's a plus defender (his opponents field goal percentage at the rim is less than one percentage point higher than Hassan Whiteside), he's a crafty passer, and a great shooter. His catch at shoot percentage this season is identical to Dirk's. He's a better rebounder than his total would imply: he grabs a higher percentage of his rebounding opportunities than Zaza Pachulia, Tristan Thompson, or teammate Paul Millsap. He's a great player that instantly makes any team legitimate. However, he's a free agent after this season. And he's not a dominant, one-on-one scorer, which the Celtics need. So is it wise to trade for him? Yes, as long as the price isn't too high. If they can get him and keep the Nets first rounder this year (not sure how likely that is) then I'd say do it. If they'd have to give up a lot, then maybe wait and see if they can tempt him in free agency. But that's always better in theory than practice. I think the safest bet would be to trade for him, as long as he agreed to an extension. Proven, top level players, even ones as unexciting as Horford, are better than the glittery unknown of a top draft pick. As long as they don't give up the farm, trade for Al and see just how far this team can go.