The Boston Celtics are expected to be an active team this offseason, as they have a high amount of cap space and draft picks to dangle in trades and they could go after LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love and Greg Monroe as free agent targets, while DeMarcus Cousins could be a trade option along with Willie Cauley-Stein and Myles Turner as options in the draft.
The Celtics were one of the surprise teams in the east, as they went from the lottery to 40 wins and they look like an up and comer in the conference. The team finally traded Rajon Rondo and it seemed to make the team better and now they are poised to spend in free agency. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the team is projected to have over $20 million in cap space and they are expected to go after LaMarcus Aldridge on the free agent market.
Aldridge is one of the top players hitting the market this offseason and he is in line for a max deal on the market. Aldridge has a good chance of staying in Portland, but reports have speculated that the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Celtics and Dallas Mavericks could go after the forward. Aldridge had another standout season and he averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds in 71 games played. Love is also reportedly going to hit the market with his opt out and he could be a target for the Celtics as well.
Marc Stein at ESPN reported this offseason that people can "bank on" the Celtics making a play for Cousins. The Kings have said that they are not looking to trade Cousins, but as the draft gets closer things could change. NESN reported that the Celtics also could go after Ty Lawson, as they showed interest in him at the trade deadline this year.
Aldridge may move on with a big pay day still to come for Portland with Damian Lillard and Pro Basketball Talk also points out that the east has a much easier path to the playoffs. Marc Gasol was mentioned as a potential target for the Celtics, but he likely is staying with Memphis this offseason. The Rockets and Mavericks could be options along with the Spurs for Aldridge, as the forward may want to head home to Texas.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Aldridge is visiting Boston this offseason and while that doesn't mean he will be considering the team based on that, the website reports the team will be a "highly likely destination" if he leaves Portland. The Celtics can offer Aldridge a max contract and they have a young core of players with Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart and Kelly Olynyk. Obviously if the team seriously pursues a Cousins trade, Aldridge likely will not be in the mix, but right now both routes are possibilities.
The Celtics reportedly will look at Myles Turner and Willie Cauley-Stein as potential draft targets, as the team may consider trading up in the draft at the end of the month. According to Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England, Stein is a top target for the Celtics along with Frank Kaminsky and the team could consider moving up to get Stein, as he is not expected to get out of the top 10.
