Forget about DeMarcus Cousins. The Boston Celtics may have another big man in their sights.
Andrew Bogut.
Thirty-two-year-old, expiring-contract Andrew Bogut of the Dallas Mavericks, to be more exact, per CSNNE.com’s A. Sherrod Blakely:
As the February trade deadline draws near, the Boston Celtics are expected to take a close look at adding a defensive-minded, rebounding big man with Dallas’ Andrew Bogut likely to emerge as a target.
…
Boston could offer the Mavericks Amir Johnson (he makes $12 million this season) straight-up for Bogut, but would likely have to include a future first round pick that would not be Boston’s 2017 pick which they have the option of swapping for Brooklyn’s first-round pick which is likely to be in the lottery (top-14).
It’s hard to tell if this is just Blakely speculating, or whether the Celtics have plans to contact the Mavericks. Either way, his suggestion makes sense.
The Celtics’ defense hasn’t been great this season. It craters whenever Al Horford steps off the floor, per NBA.com, and Boston is tied with the New York Knicks for the worst defensive rebounding percentage in the league. Bogut is an injury risk, but he has played in most of the Mavericks’ games this season season and adds rim protection, rebounding and general defensive toughness.
The Mavericks, for their part, have the worst record in the NBA. Even once Dirk Nowitzki returns from a strained right Achilles, they will still be in quasi-rebuilding mode. At some point it’s going to make more sense for them to throw in the towel on this season and tank for a top-two or top-three pick.
And if they can sell off an expiring contract for a first-round pick in the process, even better.
