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After a promising end to their regular season, the Boston Celtics succumbed to an unlikely loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals. After a playoff exit, NBA trade rumors suggest that the Celtics can be expected to be aggressive in the upcoming offseason.
NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Players Boston Celtics should target this offseason
#1 Myles Turner
The Boston Celtics' offensive woes were quite apparent this postseason, as the franchise missed a natural frontcourt player against Miami Heat. Daniel Theis is a utility player, but he can't hold his own against the elite bigs of the NBA.
According to multiple NBA trade rumors, the Celtics will be looking to shop for a center in the offseason. Myles Turner should be the number one target, as he will allow the Boston Celtics to be tactically flexible on both ends of the court. Turner is a good shooter of the basketball and will allow the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to drive and kick during games more often.
#2 Victor Oladipo
The Boston Celtics have built their team around the forward pair of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. That has led to Kemba Walker, a four-time All-Star, playing off the ball. This has stagnated the Boston Celtics' offense, and a trade for Victor Oladipo has the potential to rejuvenate Brad Stevens' scheme.
NBA trade rumors suggest that Indiana Pacers' Victor Oladipo, who is a free agent this offseason, will be Boston Celtics' primary target. Oladipo has a diverse skillset as he can play both on and off the ball. His shooting and playmaking will help the Celtics in the half-court, as they have struggled to create offense from that position several times.
The USA international of Nigerian descent missed out on a lot of action due to injury in the last two seasons but will be looking to bounce back this year. A two-time All-star and one-time All-NBA inductee, Oladipo has indicated that he would like to win a championship, and the Celtics could fulfill his wish next season.
Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: New Orleans Pelicans targeting Myles Turner to replace the outgoing Derrick Favors
#3 Steven Adams
After a disheartening loss to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA playoffs, OKC Thunder have decided to start their rebuilding process from scratch. This led to the departure of Billy Donovan, and NBA trade rumors have indicated that Steven Adams could be next.
The dominant center was pivotal in OKC Thunder's unexpected postseason run, with his ability to protect the rim and grab offensive rebounds coming in very handy. The Boston Celtics have struggled in these two aspects and can desperately use Adams' talents. A trade for the New Zealand center will instantly improve the Boston based franchise, as he will complement other starters really well.
#4 Rudy Gobert
The Utah Jazz center is in line to sign a max extension this year. However, with Donovan Mitchell's contract talks coming up, there is a good possibility that the Jazz will prioritize the young shooting guard's contract over that of the Frenchman.
That could create an opening for the Boston Celtics to start trade talks with the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, whose addition to the team will make them instant contenders. The Jazz themselves have struggled in the playoffs recently, and they won't mind sending Gobert to the Celtics in exchange for a few picks and a chance to experiment.
#5 Chris Paul
The former LA Clippers star is a free agent this summer, and as expected, every team is getting linked to him. The Boston Celtics are no different, as they are in desperate need of a veteran presence in the starting lineup. Fans and experts have pointed out that the Celtics lack leadership, and Paul's inclusion in the roster can help solve that problem.
Tactically, Chris Paul solves another major problem the Boston Celtics have faced in the NBA postseason. They were quite poor in the clutch minutes, especially against Miami. Chris Paul, on the other hand, was the most clutch player in the NBA with at least 150 minutes played. Paul will also take the pressure off Jayson Tatum, as he can generate offense on his own through his shooting and playmaking.
