Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

Any true Celtics fan knows what Brad Stevens' ideal lineup would look like. The starting (and game-closing) five would all be in the neighborhood of 6'8", with the ability to score, in addition to the tenacity to defend any opponent of any size.  Brad is not alone when one of his shorter players gets caught in a mismatch down low. We cringe right along with him. That is why the Boston faithful may never see Isaiah Thomas back in Beantown - and why Kemba Walker is often included in trade rumors. The NBA Trade Deadline hits on March 25, and Danny Ainge has made it known that he is looking for "shooting with size"   via the Trade Exception. I have written recently on 6'8" wings, Aaron Gordon and Harrison Barnes being near-perfect targets to fill that need. The Magic's Gordon is currently out of action with an injury, and Barnes may be available from a Kings team that appears to be going nowhere this season. Either wing would be a nice fit in Bosto...

With two of Boston's point guards out of commission and the team on a two-game losing streak, Danny Ainge needs to maintain the patience that he has acquired since coming to Beantown. Marcus Smart is out for 2-to-3 weeks with a calf issue, while Payton Pritchard is nursing a knee injury. The traded player exception (TPE) sits unused in Ainge's hands, and he clings to it like he has with past draft picks. That should continue - barring an irresistible deal he can't let go.  The Celtics bench has proven to be a weak link this season, and the latest rumblings concern the availability of Pelicans' sharpshooting guard, J J Redick, being available. Redick is a shooting guard - pure and simple. Despite the scoring woes from Boston's bench, Redick is not the answer. Here's the deal. The NBA's All-Star break occurs March 5-10, and historically, this is a time when many inter-team discussions take place. The trade deadline is March 25, and April 9 marks the last day f...

The Orlando Magic's Aaron Gordon was taken fourth-overall in the 2014 NBA draft, two spots before Boston picked Marcus Smart at #6. I felt at the time that Danny Ainge would have taken Gordon with the sixth pick if the 6'8" power forward was still on the board. Well now, with a $28.5 million trade exception in his hands, it may be time to consider adding the super-athletic wing. Here's why: Brad Stevens feels you can't have enough mid-sized wings Brad Stevens does not favor the "little guys" because they often get mis-matched on defense by taller opponents. He also is not fond of the old-school, big centers. In his mind, they just can't be effective on his switching, perimeter defensive strategies. Gordon's salary fits the trade exception Aaron is set to earn $18.1 million this season and $16.4 million in the 2021-22 season. His salary was front-loaded, and that relatively-low $16.1 million figure kicks in when Jayson Tatum's max contract goes...