The Boston Celtics have fallen from the third spot in the Eastern Conference to the fifth spot as they have gone 5-5 over their last 10 games. Regardless of the average stretch, they are still having a very good season and their future looks even brighter.
Boston is just 1.5 games behind the Hawks for the third spot and just half a game behind the Heat for home court advantage in the first round. All three of those teams are chasing the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have the best record in the East.
The Celtics and Cavaliers have been linked in trade rumors for quite some time due to the Celtics interest in Kevin Love. It is unclear how serious the interest is or if talks had ever gotten really intensive but at this year's trade deadline there were reportedly at least some sort of talks between the two teams.
The Celtics love their roster but they realize they need a star player to bring them to the next level and they certainly have the assets to be able to swing a big trade for a star. Love is someone that Danny Ainge has always been fond of - even if that fondness has started to wear off a little bit - so the Celtics' pursuit of him shouldn't be a surprise. When you take into account that the Cavaliers and Love don't seem to be the best fit, a trade between the Celtics and Cavs would make a lot of sense.
The trade talks at the deadline between Cleveland and Boston broke down because the Cavaliers felt that the Celtics made them a "low-ball" offer. Of course these trade talks could heat up again this offseason but based on the reports it seems like Love isn't someone the Celtics are interested in giving up assets for anymore.
The Celtics will definitely be in the trade and free agent markets looking for star players, but they have showed they won't make a trade just to make a trade. Boston wants to be sure that the player they give up assets for is worth it and will almost assured to take them to the next level.
As for Love, he is under contract with the Cavaliers for four more seasons but that doesn't necessarily mean he will be there for the duration of that deal. Some have predicted that if the Cavaliers don't win the championship this season they will look to move on from Love again this offseason. Even if the Celtics don't show interest in Love, should he be put on the block, the Cavaliers should find plenty of teams with interest in acquiring the 27-year-old forward.
