Boston Celtics Want To Make ‘Splashy Move’ Before NBA Trade Deadline

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

The NBA trade deadline is right around the corner with the Boston Celtics wanting to make a move that would propel them into title contention in the Eastern Conference. Although the Celtics have made considerable strides to rebuild the franchise with promising young players, general manager Danny Ainge and company want to make the next step sooner rather than later.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the Celtics hope to make a blockbuster deal before the trade deadline on Feb. 18. DeMarcus Cousins and Kevin Love have been two big-name players the team has been linked to, but it seems uncertain they’ll be able to lure either player away from the Sacramento Kings or Cleveland Cavaliers:

Boston has been quietly aggressive, with its well-chronicled array of assets, in search of the splashy move we all know team president Danny Ainge would love to make. But with Sacramento thoroughly unwilling to entertain offers for DeMarcus Cousins, and Cavaliers general manager David Griffin likewise emphatically shooting down the notion earlier this week of making Kevin Love available, there isn’t a starry trade target for Ainge to chase. At least not yet.

The Cavaliers and Kings may not be interested in making a blockbuster move before the deadline at this point, but that could quickly change in the weeks leading up to the deadline. Sacramento is trying to stay in playoff contention while Cleveland tries to put the pieces together after firing head coach David Blatt.

Although the Cavs are considered legitimate title contenders, it seems fairly obvious that they are not on the same elite level in comparison to the San Antonio Spurs and defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors. That being said, sending Love elsewhere for a package of role players or draft picks might be something the team seriously considers if it’s still clear that they won’t stand a chance in the NBA Finals for a second straight year.

As for the Kings, the team’s front office remains reluctant to send Cousins packing, but that may also change. Sacramento has been hot and cold with Cousins playing at an All-Star level. It may be only a matter of time that he forces a trade.