Celtics news: Ime Udoka’s team is ballin’; Josh Richardson trade rumors

The Boston Celtics are ballin’ and opening some eyes as they roll over opponents in impressive fashion.

In dismantling the shorthanded Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night, the Celtics have now won six straight and they are doing it with impressive defense and buying in offensively as a team.  It also doesn’t hurt that their best two players, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, are putting it all together to lead the team.

With players like Marcus Smart, Josh Richardson and Dennis Schröeder playing a role in the team’s impressive turnaround, Celtics head coach Ime Udoka finally has the team playing like he wants them to play.  Coincidentally, the team’s hot streak comes as the NBA Trade Deadline approaches.  A necessary wakeup call?

Boston Celtics inspired by NBA Trade Deadline talk?

As the players mentioned above have been rumored in a lot of that trade talk, Udoka feels the team’s rejuvenation will impact how Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens now approaches the deadline.

"“It’s hard to gauge where we’re at or what we really need without seeing everybody until now,” Udoka said, via Masslive.com.  “I’m sure it’s opened some eyes to other people that are calling about some of these guys and seeing how well they are playing; it works both ways.“Like I said, we are happy with how we’re playing, happy with what the guys are doing and seeing our full group together now.  I’m sure it changed some of the conversation based on what we’re doing lately.”"

In winning 12 of their last 16 games, the Boston Celtics should be in position to strengthen their team at the NBA Trade Deadline.  With Tatum and Brown playing like they should be playing and the overall team chemistry continuing to build, Stevens must be careful not to disrupt the trajectory Udoka’s team has been on.

NBA rumors: Boston Celtics shopping Josh Richardson

Besides Dennis Schröder or perhaps Marcus Smart, the Boston Celtics player who has been getting the most trade buzz is veteran wing Josh Richardson.

As one of the players Udoka was referring to as far as players who have turned up their play, Richardson suddenly has some interesting trade value ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.

With teams like the Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers acquiring about the Celtics veteran wing, Brad Stevens should have an opportunity to get an interesting player or package back.  The Lakers are offering Talen Horton-Tucker and a future pick for the services of Richardson, but Boston has their eye on Timberwolves wing Malik Beasley.

Beasley, who is averaging 12.4 points in 25.9 minutes, is just 25 years old and a player who should make the Celtics eventually stronger coming off the bench.  He is a name that is being rumored in a lot of deals out there, but Stevens pulling this trade off would be a win for the Boston Celtics as not only would they get a similar player back in return for Richardson, but a younger player with more upside.

If Richardson is moved, and it seems like a sure bet that he would be, Beasley or another young, talented wing in return appears to be what Stevens and the Celtics are looking for in return, unless a bigger package involving Richardson and other players on the team presents itself.