Boston Celtics trade rumors have the team pulling off a deal with the Detroit Pistons. It appears the Celtics aren't done making moves during the NBA offseason, as team president Danny Ainge continues to try to improve the roster. In this new deal, the Celtics are reportedly trading guard #Avery Bradley to the Pistons in exchange for forward, Marcus Morris.
The Boston Celtics are already signing free agent Gordon Hayward during the offseason, adding a lot of payroll for a player who does more than Avery Bradley at the same position. Signing Hayward has allowed the Celtics to deal Bradley for more size, with the Pistons gladly giving up Morris in the trade.
It's unclear what the plan is for Morris in Boston, but the most likely scenario is that he will come off the bench.
Are the Boston Celtics contenders in the Eastern Conference?
The Celtics have been very busy since the NBA offseason began, as Danny Ainge is working hard to get this team on the same level as the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs continue to make moves to stay at the top. In addition to pushing hard for the signing of Gordon Hayward, the Celtics also drafted Jayson Tatum, Semi Okeleye, Kadeem Allen, and Jabari Bird in the 2017 NBA Draft. Those players join a roster that is fresh off making the 2017 NBA Playoffs.
With Al Horford and Isaiah Thomas returning as the stars for the Boston Celtics, this certainly looks like a team that could compete for an Eastern Conference title.
The road eventually has to lead through Cleveland, though, so the team is going to need to make sure that Tatum is ready to be placed in that spotlight. If he doesn't take a lot of preparation to get up to the NBA speed, then this could be a really good Celtics team.
Are the Celtics better with Avery Bradley or Marcus Morris?
These Boston Celtics trade rumors are obviously more about saving money than improving the roster. Shedding the salary of Avery Bradley for that of Marcus Morris could help the Celtics avoid luxury tax penalties this season. If the team is better overall, that would simply be a nice bonus for Danny Ainge.
Losing the defense that Bradley provided could be tough for the coaching staff, though, as he is one of the best in the league at the position.
Bradley, 26, is a two-time All-Defensive team player who averaged 16.3 points and 6.1 rebounds and shot 39 percent from three-point during the 2016-17 NBA season. Morris, 27, averaged 14 points, 4.6 rebounds, and two assists in 79 games with the Pistons last year. Both the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons seem immediately pleased about these NBA trade rumors, so thus far, it is a win for both franchises.
