State of the Celtics

There are some in Boston upset that Danny Ainge wasn't more active during the recent NBA Trade Deadline. I'm not one of those people. I think the Celtics stand much improved today. 

The Celtics basically traded Daniel Theis, Jeff Teague, Javonte Green and two 2nd round draft picks for Evan Fournier and Mo Wagner. Here's how I see these transactions.

First let's address the elephant in the room - Celtics fans were getting pretty sick of Theis being a league wide punching bag. The lack of calls he'd get and the ticky-tack shit he'd get whistled for is legendary. And Celtics fans couldn't expect Theis to be the guy to dish out a hard foul when necessary. He'd halfheartedly try something and look apologetic the whole time. You need a  guy like Aron Baynes who could hack an opposing player then stand there looking them in the eye and saying "What?" As in "what are you going to do about it?" Daniel Theis was never that player. Boston loses a bit on pick and roll offense giving Theis' minutes to Robert Williams but that's more than made up defensively. Mo Wagner should also be able to provide some toughness and additional fouls off the bench.

Jeff Teague was a major disappointment. And he's already been waived by Orando! Celtics fans rejoice that Teague's minutes will now be going the the much more deserving Payton Pritchard. That's an upgrade just by doing that. 

Finally the big upgrade is Evan Fournier being added to the mix. Boston badly needed another wing who could create his own offense. He is a HUGE upgrade over Semi Ojeleye. The team is greatly improved by these moves.

Did they get Aaron Gordon?  Were they able to get the Raptors to trade Kyle Lowry? No - but they also didn't have to give up Marcus Smart either. Will they be able to add another piece via the buyout market? Maybe. But I like the moves they've made.

And all it cost was two 2nd round picks.