The Boston Celtics lost a significant amount of talent and depth at the center position this past summer. Kristaps Porzingis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, while both Al Horford and Luke Kornet left the franchise in free agency.
Brad Stevens acquired Luka Garza to ensure there was an additional big body on Joe Mazzulla’s roster, and Neemias Queta was promoted into the starting lineup. Both Queta and Garza have impressed of late.
Nevertheless, the Celtics will need to add a starting-level big man to the rotation before the team is ready to contend for a championship again. With that in mind, ClutchPoints’ Bailey Bassett has proposed a trade that would send Walker Kessler to the Celtics.
In return, the Celtics would send out Xavier Tillman, Josh Minott and two future second-round draft picks.
“The Utah Jazz don’t seem to have any interest in re-signing Walker Kessler,” Bassett wrote. “He was viewed as a player on the trading block before the season, but he suffered a season-ending injury that will likely prevent win-now teams from trading for him. Teams that would be willing to re-sign him and that will be capable of winning next year could still have interest, though.”
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If the Celtics were to trade for Kessler, knowing he’s out for the season and on an expiring contract, the team would need an agreement in place that he would re-sign with the franchise.
However, if all parties agreed, he would significantly improve the rotation next season by providing an interior presence on both ends of the floor. Furthermore, he would be a long-term solution for Boston at the center position. Whether Stevens sees things that way will remain to be seen.
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