CELTS MAY NOT BE MOVED TO DEAL AT DEADLINE
Not even Donald Trump amuses himself on Twitter as much as Isaiah Thomas. When the Celtics guard tweeted the bug eyes emoji earlier this week without further explanation, waves in the trade deadline pool began splashing over the sides.
Thomas returned to the Twittersphere yesterday with an hourglass emoji, and again no further clues. But based on what Danny Ainge has sifted through this week in advance of today’s trade deadline, none is required.
According to a league source privy to what the Celtics are thinking in their attempt to land a home run deal, barring radical change the C’s are about to have their second straight quiet trade deadline. “Both teams are out there listening, they’re kind of shopping around, but aren’t really discussing anything concrete,” the source said last night of Chicago, with Jimmy Butler, and Indiana with Paul George. “This could all change overnight, but if anything happens, it won’t be until (today). Right now there’s nothing from either team.”
Ainge also is being very protective of his assets, with Brooklyn’s 2017 first-round pick quite possibly too precious to surrender. The 2018 draft field isn’t projected to be nearly as good as this year’s crop — thus diminishing the value of the 2018 Brooklyn pick. In a nod to this year’s draft, the Celtics love what they see in Washington guard Markelle Fultz and Kansas swingman Josh Jackson — the latter drawing comparisons to a young Butler.
But Larry Bird could wake up in Indianapolis this morning, realize he’s not going to land enough other pieces to make George stay in the summer of 2018, and call his former teammate.
What follows are five directions the Celtics could follow, starting today.