The Boston Celtics appear poised to have a big summer. Grantland's Zach Lowe is the latest to report Boston plans to pursue either Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love in free agency or Sacramento Kings star DeMarcus Cousins via trade. Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe, who becomes a free agent in July, is also reportedly an option.
Armed with myriad draft picks, Boston looks like it'll be ambitious in the offseason. Two big-name targets the Celtics will at least try for, according to Lowe, are Love and Cousins.
"It's just hard to see the next gettable superstar trade targets beyond Love and DeMarcus Cousins - if those guys become available at all," Lowe wrote Tuesday. "The Celtics will work every tactic on those guys, but if they come up empty, it's uncertain where they might look next."
The Celtics were linked to Love last summer, and the power forward appeared to be at least considering Boston as a potential destination before Minnesota traded him to Cleveland. The latest on Love is he's on the fence about staying in Cleveland beyond this season. According to Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler, Love's decision to stay long-term with the Cavaliers will depend on whether he feels he's become an integral part of the team, which right now he is not. Although ESPN's Chris Broussard reported most of the NBA executes he spoke to said they believe Love will be gone after the season, it seems more likely Love will play out the final year of his deal and give it one more shot in Cleveland.
Cousins was first linked to Boston by Sam Smith of Bulls.com, who said the Celtics had explored a trade for Cousins in the days leading up to the Feb. 19 deadline. Coach George Karl's history of not really utilizing low-post centers has led to rumors that Cousins is expendable in Sacramento, but nothing appears at all imminent - if the Kings are even considering parting with him.
Monroe is another possibility. In December he said he had "entertained" the idea of playing in Boston, and Celtics president Danny Ainge indicated Monroe would be an ideal fit for the team.
