The Boston Celtics remain capable of executing another stunning NBA trade. Boston still has the assets (future picks and talented players) it can utilize to add prominent names. However, there are four guys on the roster who the organization is likely viewing as untouchables. It means that whatever happens, they will never be part of any deal, at least for now.
Hardwood Houdini suggested that these are Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum. It is understandable why Irving and Hayward are in this group. These All-Stars are Boston's biggest acquisitions this offseason.
The Celtics lured Hayward out of Utah back in July, while it was just last week when they officially traded for Kyrie Irving from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Brown and Tatum, on the other hand, are top prospects for Boston. The franchise has belief in them, and during the negotiations with the Cavaliers, the Celtics showed how much they value these youngsters. According to rumors, the Cavs asked for either Brown or Tatum as an additional asset in the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas swap, but the C's declined. Instead, they shipped a 2020 second-round pick to Cleveland to complete the trade.
Danny Ainge lauds Irving and Hayward
In a recent interview, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge praised Irving and Hayward for their financial sacrifices just to be in Boston.
First is Irving, who Ainge revealed rejected a trade kicker, that would have earned him more for the next two years in his contract. Meanwhile, Hayward turned down a potential max deal with the Jazz to sign a four-year pact with the Celtics worth $127.8 million. The 27-year-old shared that money does not matter, and his goal is to compete for an NBA championship.
Challenging decision
In another interview, Ainge explained how hard it was to deal away Isaiah Thomas. The Celtics president of basketball operations stated that he had a "difficult" conversation with the 28-year-old, then he acknowledged what the 5-foot-9 playmaker did for Boston in the 2016-17 NBA season. Thomas helped the Celtics to the best record in the Eastern Conference at 53-29.
They made it all the way to the conference finals. Unfortunately, on that stage, he aggravated a hip injury that keeps him on the sidelines until now. The Cavaliers needed just five games to eliminate the Thomas-less Celtics and advance to the NBA Finals where they lost to the Golden State Warriors.
