Boston Celtics interested in trading for Andrew Bogut

Dec. 15 marks the unofficial opening of trade season in the NBA. It is the day when players are signed as free agents and are finally eligible to be traded.

Like all other teams, the Boston Celtics has to add rim protection and rebounding before the NBA playoffs. ESPN.com’s Marc Stein wrote on Dec.11 that Boston has emerged as a team interested in trading for the Dallas Mavericks centre Andrew Bogut. Stein also noted the Portland Trail Blazers also could be a good fit for Bogut.

“The Mavericks have yet to make Bogut available for potential deals, per ESPN’s own Tim MacMahon, but the Blazers are a natural suitor given their clear need for a defensive anchor at the rim as the league’s 30th-ranked defense as of Friday morning,” Stein writes.

Bogut averages 3.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 25 minutes per game despite being sidelined by a knee injury. Currently, he is in an $11 million contract with the Mavericks and might become a free agent after the season if let go.

The Golden State Warriors said that Bogut is indeed a useful player but they missed him when he was unavailable due to injury for the last two games of the 2016 NBA Finals.

The 32-year-old is falling down to a 10.4 rebounds per game. It would certainly help Celtics squad that ranks 24th in the NBA in rebounding. But Boston shouldn’t give up any Brooklyn Nets picks to acquire Bogut. If a deal can be worked out that doesn’t hurt the Celtics’ long-term plans, then they should consider him as a legitimate option before the trade deadline.

Bogut is the type of defensive big man who could be a key piece for a playoff contender.