The Boston Celtics are committed to the rebuilding process.
The team just shipped off its best player in Rajon Rondo and is looking to reload by adding young and talented players. The Celtics own six (!) first round picks over the next two NBA drafts thanks to the Rondo and Kevin Garnett/Paul Pierce deals. President of basketball operations Danny Ainge has always been a mover and a shaker, so it's expected that Boston will look to acquire a top young talent who is nearing the end of his contract.
Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com was asked if the team should inquire into the availability of Utah Jazz big man Derrick Favors. Here's what he had to say:
"If the Celtics want to utilize potential cap space this summer, they won't want holds muddying up their books and that, in part, might encourage them to utilize the $12.9 million exception from the Rondo deal to fetch talent soon. I love the Favors suggestion if for this reason only: Boston's exception is just enough to absorb his $12.95 million contract (utilizing the $100,000 buffer on trades) and wouldn't that be just like the Celtics to set themselves up for a move like that?...The greater point here is that Boston still has the potential to maneuver this season and maybe offer a glimpse of where they are headed. Take a deep breath, this might only be the start of the maneuvering with an eye toward the future."
Any trade for Favors would likely require multiple first-round draft picks from the Celtics. But at just 23 years old, Favors is the type of high-upside gamble that could turn out well. Despite his young age, Favors is now in his fifth year in the league. He's averaging a career high 15.6 points per game to go along with 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and a field goal percentage of 56.
Favors was drafted No. 3 overall by the Nets in 2010.
