Celtics gearing up to make a big trade? Recent rumbles say maybe

At least one prominent analyst is hearing that the Celtics might be up to something — but the question is what?

It’s starting to sound like the Boston Celtics are getting ready to make a move on he trade market, if the proverbial tea leaves are indeed being read correctly.

It’s no secret that the Celtics are looking to upgrade their roster with the contention window finally, firmly back open. Team president Danny Ainge has said as much in recent sports radio show appearances, even going so far as to indicate which sort of player Boston was in the hunt for (a shooter with some size and presumably also considerable defensive chops, depending on how you parse the conversation).

Mix in news that The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor has recently been hearing rumbles that the Celtics are gearing up for … something in texts from multiple league executives, and the dots become hard not to connect.

“Tristan Thompson became trade eligible this weekend, and with a $9.3 million salary, he could be a perfect fit for a deal,” notes O’Connor. So could Daniel Theis with his expiring $5 million contract. The Celtics have young players like Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith, in addition to all of their future first-round draft picks, which could position them to make a bid for a big fish such as Bradley Beal if he were to become available, or a role player like P.J. Tucker or Thaddeus Young.”

It seems more likely any such whispers point to a big move, particularly given Ainge’s references to a trade needing to actually improve the team considerably, but smaller moves to improve the bench should also be on the table.

And while a team must actually want what Boston is selling to pry lose a player or two over what the field may be offering, expect the team’s front office to be aggressive in their moves given it’s clear the time to push for a title has arrived.

But don’t necessarily expect a move just yet even with those tell-tale rumbles; with the deadline falling late in March — on the 25th — this season, Ainge and company may still take their time.

This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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