C’s not wheeling, dealing
Capela trade unlikely as Ainge eyes minor moves, sources say
Though the Celtics are getting mentioned in some larger rumors, the bulk of their work as Thursday’s NBA trade deadline approaches appears to be on the fringes.
From discussions with several teams, Danny Ainge seems bent on not fixing the parts of his club that aren’t broken. And by not weighing their books down with a big salary that brings just a minor incremental improvement.
Thus, the Celts’ draft picks and some players at the far end of the roster could be in play, but, as it stands now, there will be no celebrity makeovers around here when the clock strikes the 3 p.m. last call.
If the Celtics make a move at all, the guess around the league is that it will be to add a veteran who can provide some offense off the bench. But even in this case, fit is important. The C’s could make a call to free agent Jamal Crawford this instant, but the question is whether he could do well in what may be a very limited role.
Most teams would love to get their hands on a Davis Bertans, a free agent in the summer; unfortunately for suitors, his present club, Washington, is among them. Perhaps Alec Burks could be had for not much, but could Golden State get more elsewhere?
The sense we get is that the Celts would like a moderate sure thing from the less expensive side of the menu.
In the words of one general manager, “Boston’s not interested in moving any of their top five guys.”
Brad Stevens has repeatedly identified that quintet as Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart. But there may be more to it all.
The GM added, “I don’t see him (Ainge) giving away any of the other rotation guys away for cheap, either. They’re getting good contributions from a lot of guys who are under really good contracts. You don’t want to mess with that if you don’t have to.”
The Celtics began the season with big questions about their bigs, and while their interior defense has proven to be fairly good — certainly better than expected — a lot of that is based on how well they pressure the ball on the perimeter.
Therefore, the desire for Clint Capela may not be what it once was here. The Celtics have, indeed, been involved in some of the calls regarding Houston’s starting center, but there’s been nothing substantive.
According to an executive from the West who’s been involved tangentially in the talks, the discussions about Capela have been generated by the Rockets. Beyond the fact it could lead one to question why a team so bent on going for a championship NOW — what with James Harden and Russell Westbrook in tow — would be so interesting in moving his 13.9 points and 13.8 rebounds, there is simply the knowledge that opposing teams aren’t getting into a bidding war for the big man. Which is perhaps why Houston management doesn’t mind word of talks getting out there, with the hope it will create more interest.
The considerations for the Celtics here should include whether Capela can put them over the top against a Milwaukee, which would have to be the case to justify taking on the $51.3 million he has left on his contract in the three years after this. There’s also the concern about having a 52.9% free throw shooter on the court during crunch time.
And those issues leave out whether you could get him at your price in the first place.
The feeling around the league is that Ainge would like to make a move of some sort to bolster a team that’s been better than many expected and could, with a break or two, make a serious run in the playoffs. (“I didn’t see them being this good right now after changing three starters,” said one league exec.)
It would have to be troubling for the Celtics to get on a postseason roll and be mortally wounded by a lack of experience.