Former Celtics coach suggests how Boston can profit from Damian Lillard commerce

Celtics

“Portland, purchase Jrue out so he can signal to the Celtics.”

Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks' Jrue Holiday during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 127-121.
Jrue Vacation was a helpful cog for the Bucks over the earlier three seasons. Morry Gash / AP Photograph

The Celtics’ standing as the highest contender within the Jap Convention obtained a major problem on Wednesday night.

The Milwaukee Bucks — already thought-about Boston’s main menace within the highway again to the NBA Finals — bolstered their roster by the use of a three-team commerce involving the Path Blazers and Suns, reportedly including seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard within the blockbuster swap.

Lillard’s lights-out taking pictures and playmaking ought to additional enhance a stout Bucks roster anchored by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. However the Bucks did have to subtract from their roster to facilitate the deal, headlined by veteran level guard Jrue Vacation and a bevy of draft picks.

Vacation was a key cog for the Bucks, with the two-time All-Star incomes 5 All-Defensive Staff nods over the course of his profession. And with the purpose guard set to affix a rebuilding Portland group, the Blazers might decide to maneuver him to a different contender who might use his playmaking acumen and defensive depth.

Former Celtics swingman (and assistant coach) Evan Turner believes that’s the place the Celtics ought to are available in.Turner thinks the Blazers ought to make issues a bit simpler for Brad Stevens and Co. to accommodate the influence guard.

“Portland, purchase Jrue out so he can signal to the Celtics,” Turner posted to the X platform shortly after news of the Lillard trade broke. “I’m attempting to see one thing actual fast.”

Such a course seemingly gained’t be charted out by Portland, given the extra property that they need to have the ability to add in the event that they transfer Vacation to the best bidder.

However might the Celtics realistically get entangled within the sweepstakes for Vacation?

Boston has been linked to the gifted level guard prior to now, with Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reporting back in 2020 that Boston was fascinated with plucking Vacation from the Pelicans earlier than he finally landed in Milwaukee.

With Boston delivery Marcus Good to Memphis in one other three-team deal that introduced in Kristaps Porzinigis, the Celtics’ backcourt is due for an overhaul this season.

Derrick White is predicted to interchange Good as Boston’s start line guard, however questions stay about how a lot defensive integrity the Celtics have relinquished this offseason following the departures of each Good and Grant Williams.

Buying Vacation would assist Boston in varied segments of the roster, however it stays to be seen what Stevens could be keen to half with. Regardless that veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon might be an intriguing commerce chip, it appears unlikely that Portland would have use in one other guard who’s already in his prime at 30 years previous.