One thing I have heard from credible sources is that the Celtics are very interested in Pj tucker. In my opinion, the only way the Celtics would go after Tucker is if Crowder is leaving. Crowder would only leave in a trade for jimmy butler. So, why would the Celtics need pj tucker if butler would just replace Crowder at the 3. My guess is that Butler is not going to be playing the 3. If Butler is not playing the three then he has to be playing the 2. Which means bye bye Avery Bradly. I think Ainge is offering or will offer Avery Bradley, Jae crowder, Terry rozier, Amir Johnson, 2 non Brooklyn first round picks and 2017 Minnesota 2nd round pick for Taj Gibson and Jimmy butler.
Now the reason I think Terry rozier is gone is also because of the Celtics wanting PJ Tucker. If Crowder is gone I don't understand why Gearld Green can not back up Jaylen Brown. I think green would be a great back up. However, I think they may put Green in Roziers minutes till the end of the season.The Bulls are not huge fans of their point guard right now. None of them are playing very well. The Bulls really need young talent if the Celtics are not giving up the Brooklyn picks.
Crowder is extremely valuable as he is a young vet who is signed to a long cheap deal. Same goes for Avery Bradly. The Bulls showed a lot of interest in both of them during trade talks in the summer. I think both have to go if the Celtics want to keep the Brooklyn picks. Amir Johnson needs to go because his contract is what makes the trade deal work. Honestly, his defensive is great but his poor rebounding is really contributing to the Celtics being ranked 27th in the league for rebounding.
Besides the obvious need for a third star in Jimmy Butler, why do the Celtics need Taj Gibson? Well for one simple reason. Rebounding! The Celtics are one of the worst rebounding teams in the league. Gibson would take Amir Johnson's 20 minutes per game and fill that role nicely. He is a good vet who can space the floor just as well as Johnson. Most importantly, he is a much better rebounder than Johnson. Gibson has been on a list of cheap pick ups for the Celtics. This trade would give the Celtics a third star and help their rebounding problems. Ultimately, letting them have a good shot at winning now.
This trade also opens up playing time for their younger guys. Most importantly, Jaylen Brown. This years number 3 pick has played very few minutes due to a stacked roster.The lack of minutes will delay his growth and chance at one day becoming an All-Star.I think Brown would start over P.J Tucker unless the team really needs Tucker for defensive purposes. This minute boost will help Brown develop immensely.
As for trading for PJ tucker, the Celtics could let the Suns pick one from their treasure trove of young players.
whether it's James young, Demetrius Jackson or any of their four young players playing oversea's. A second round pick could also be added to sweeten the deal even more.
The line up would look like
IT/Smart/Green
Butler/Smart/Green
Brown/Tucker
Gibson/Jerebko
Horford/Olynyk
When defense is really needed the Celtics can switch defensive star, Marcus Smart for Isaiah Thomas and Tucker for Brown. When offense is needed Olynyk can come in for Gibson.
The most important thing about these trades is it lets the Celtics compete now and later.Brown gets to develop. They keep their Brooklyn picks and can grow those young guys off of the bench. Eventually they will become starters and can take the reins from Al Horford, Jimmy Butler and Isaiah Thomas.
The Celtics could be competitive for a very long time. Imagine Brown two years down the road after developing. Thomas would be 30, Butler 29 and Horford 32. Smart, 25 could finally become decent offensively to help lead the young picks and instill the need to win.All in all, the trade would set the Celtics up for a very successful 10 years or so.