Boston Celtics: Here’s the rumored offer for a Paul George trade
The Boston Celtics have been linked to Paul George trade rumors for awhile now. Here is a look at the potential offer on the table.
The Boston Celtics are looking to land two big stars this offseason. The first step will likely be to land Gordon Hayward in free agency. The next will be to trade for Indiana Pacers forward Paul George.
Now, rumors have broken loose as to what the Celtics trade offer to the Pacers may be.
Adam Kaufman of WBZ News in Boston first reported what that package may be on Twitter.
I'm told #Celtics offer to IND for George is LAL/SAC pick from PHI, '19 MEM OR LAC pick, Crowder, $$ filler (Zeller pop name, Bradley poss).
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) June 27, 2017
It looks like Boston could send a 2018 First Round Pick (via the Lakers or Kings from Philadelphia), a 2019 First Round Pick (via the Grizzlies or Clippers), forward Jae Crowder and another player to fill out the money gap. That extra play could be forward Tyler Zeller or guard Avery Bradley.
It should also be noted that in this rumor, Paul George is also signing a three-year extension to stay in Boston.
Boston would save a ton of cap room by moving on from Crowder and either Zeller or Bradley. Both players will likely be gone this offseason if they Celtics have any chance of getting both George and Hayward.
Jae Crowder is owed nearly $7 million this season. Zeller is owed an even $8 million while Bradley is a little over that. Avery Bradley will also be a free agent next summer, and he’ll likely be looking for a deal north of $20 million. Financially, Boston cannot hold on to Bradley if they intend to keep Al Horford and Isaiah Thomas while they add Paul George and Gordon Hayward.
It would be tough to see Avery Bradley leave Boston, as he has grown into a premier NBA shooting guard with tough lock down defensive abilities, but it will need to be done.
A deal for Paul George following a Hayward signing would create a great lineup for Boston. This is what the starting five could look like in 2017-18, with Al Horford being the only player over the age of 30. I’ve included the ages of each player at the start of the season.
- PG Isaiah Thomas (28)
- SG Marcus Smart (23)
- SF Gordon Hayward (27)
- PF Paul George (27)
- C Al Horford (31)
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The Celtics would also have an extremely young, and somewhat thin, bench in this scenario. They would need to maybe add a few veterans on a veteran minimum contract.
- SF Jaylen Brown (20)
- SF Jayson Tatum (19)
- C Ante Zizic (20)
- PG Terry Rozier (23)
- SF Semi Ojeleye (22)
- SG Jabari Bird (22)
The second unit could take a year to learn to work together and become effective in the NBA, but Jaylen Brown has shown he has what it takes to make it in this league.
Next: Can Paul George and Gordon Hayward play together?
What do you think of the rumored package that has been offered to the Pacers for Paul George? Is that a deal you think Danny Ainge should make if he’s able to sign Gordon Hayward before hand? Could the Celtics take down the Cavs and compete with the Warriors? Let us know on Twitter @CandCFansided.