A couple of days ago ESPN Insider posted an article by Joe Kaiser discussing the Suns' center Marcin Gortat. He discusses that the Suns, who are not going to contend this season may have to decide to deal Gortat, whose value is very high right now, in order to improve.

He explains that Gortat is one of the team's best players, he plays a premium position, and he's one of the league's best bargains -- owed $7,258,960 this season and $7,727,280 in 2013-14. He then speculates on 5 teams that could possibly be trade partners for the Suns IF they decide to part with the Polish Hammer.

The Celtics are mentioned as are the Bucks, Thunder, Hornets, and Blazers. He mentions these teams because he feels that they have the trade pieces and that these teams might benefit from having Gortat on the team. Here is what he had to say about the Celtics.

1. Boston Celtics | Gortat for Avery Bradley and Courtney Lee

No team makes as much sense as Boston, which badly needs a big man to pair with Kevin Garnett in the frontcourt before the window of opportunity closes in the KG/Paul Pierce era. The Celtics have as many tradeable young talents as any playoff-caliber team, and though they've been very reluctant to include young defensive star Avery Bradley in any deal, they may have to in order to coax Gortat out of the Suns. Bradley would be exactly what the Suns are looking for if they have to move Gortat -- a young, hard-working shooting guard who can come in and fill a position of need.

Now, mind you that these are just trade musings by the author. He never says that the Celtics are interested. He never suggests that the Suns are actually shopping Gortat. He just talks about what if the Suns decide to trade him. And he speculates on 5 teams that have the assets that the Suns might want and who could use a center.


On the same day Mr Kaiser posted the article about Gortat, he posted the following in the Rumors Central area of Insider.

The NBA trade deadline isn't until March, and while this is just speculation we have to believe Boston could be one of the most active teams looking to deal.

Here's why: unlike most projected contenders, the Celtics have a roster deep with affordable -- in some cases young -- tradeable players that could be packaged for the right player.

From Courtney Lee to Brandon Bass to Jeff Green to Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo, these are the type of guys who, if packaged with draft picks, could potentially be the parts needed to swing a deal that would help the C's acquire what they need -- a proven big man to go next to Kevin Garnett, perhaps? -- in their drive to the playoffs.

Again, this is only speculation on my part, but what the Celtics also have that most contenders don't is a young piece that they could offer up to headline a deal, and that is the defensive wizard himself -- Avery Bradley.

I have a feeling that we are going to see a lot more "rumors" about the Celtics as the trade deadline approaches. Yes, the Celtics have all those reasonably priced young players to use as trade chips, but Doc likes this team. If they come together and are playing well by the trade deadline, I don't see Danny making the same mistake twice and breaking up a team that has a chance to contend for a title. In the meantime, I'm seeing blogs, including some from Poland that mention that Gortat is unhappy with his role in the Suns system, talking about the Suns looking to move Gortat and teams like the Celtics interested in him.  Strangely enough, these posts all sprung up after the Insider Article came out.   If it's starting already, this could be a long rumor season.

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