Boston Celtics Roundup: Anthony Davis trade still on, Al Horford could leave and more
When LeBron James headed to the Western Conference last summer, the Boston Celtics appeared well placed to become the new dominant force in the Eastern Conference. Not only did the Celtics have one of the NBA's best players in Kyrie Irving, but the young core of Terry Rozier, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown had guided the team within a game of the 2018 NBA Finals.
However, Boston disappointed throughout the regular season, and despite sweeping the Pacers in round one of the playoffs, they were crushed in the East semis by Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks. The Celtics' early exit from the playoffs is likely to have big ramifications this summer, and here are all the latest offseason rumors.
A trade for Anthony Davis remains possible
Due to the uncertainty over Kyrie Irving's future, some have suggested that the Celtics will hold off making a move for Anthony Davis. However, Adam Himmelsbach is reporting that the Celtics remain keen on the 26-year-old All-Star, although a deal would need to be agreed ahead of the upcoming NBA draft:
The issue for the Celtics is that any trade for Davis will likely include several picks in this year’s draft. So a handshake deal will have to be agreed upon prior to the June 20 draft so the Celtics know which players they will have to select for the Pelicans.
Boston’s hope, then, would be to have some clarity with Irving’s situation by then, as well as some sense from Davis’s camp about the possibility of him re-signing with the Celtics after he becomes a free agent next summer.
Davis has spent his entire career with the Pelicans, although he requested a trade ahead of the February trade deadline.