The Boston Celtics’ NBA title parade planning could be the most important decision they make this summer. For the time being, it could be considered (and is) bold, but they’ve been the best team in the league for four months, and they’ve aced practically every postseason test thrown their way.
However, the route to the title is usually tricky, so who knows where the Celtics will go from here. It’s just as plausible (if not more so) that they’ll enter the offseason fresh off a second-round exit, prompting the front staff to hatch a plan grander than anyone could have imagined.
We’ve got three players in mind if Boston decides to go all-in on the trade market this summer. So, if you are an avid betting fan looking for some out-of-season ideas, or even if you plan to enjoy the gaming side of online gambling at the likes of AmazonSlots UK over the summer months, whatever you do, it may be worth keeping a close eye on the betting markets for these potential deals.
Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat
How much does Boston want to bolster their shooting? Is it bad enough to go after a 28-year-old who bombed in the first year of a five-year, $90 million contract? Well, that’s arguable.
The idea that Duncan Robinson has dropped out of the Miami Heat’s postseason rotation might not bother Boston. It’s likely that the Heat’s roster composition is working against him, as a switch to the second unit placed him on the field alongside Tyler Herro, another leaky wing defender, and the Heat deemed they couldn’t play both. The Celtics have enough stoppers that this may never be a problem.
In fact, Robinson’s demotion could be viewed by Boston as the utmost buy-low opportunity. Miami can’t afford to pay a high price for any Robinson deal, so the Celtics could find a good value fire-baller if they could get him for a low price—in terms of trade assets; the salary obviously doesn’t qualify. The 6’7″ New England native has been averaging 3.4 triples on 40.8% shooting since the start of the 2019-20 season.
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
There are a thousand reasons not to include Bradley Beal on this shortlist, not the least of which is that he is a free agent—or will be after he refuses his player option—so this would almost certainly be a sign-and-trade rather than a straight-up swap.
However, it may be tough not to draw lines between Beal and Boston until he signs a long-term deal with the Wizards.
Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers
Buddy Hield is on the list of the league’s best shooters. He might also find himself on the trade market relatively soon, as the Pacers’ future-oriented front office may be hesitant to pay a 29-year-old almost $40 million over the next two years.
Hield is sure to be a no-brainer for Boston if he were to hit the open market, and the Celtics could find some way to add his contract—by far the greater “if” of the two.
In just 29.2 minutes of play, he’s averaging 3.0 three-pointers per game. He’s also sprayed those long-range shots at a rate of 39.8%. Having him deflect attention away from Tatum and Brown will make the Celtics’ attack even more difficult to handle.
