Celtics: Top 3 Targets For Every NBA Team Right Now

Explore the strategic aspirations of every NBA team as they eye the top three potential player targets.

The 2023-24 season is underway, and we have a great indication of which teams will separate themselves from the rest of the pack now and going forward. That doesn’t mean the best teams in the NBA will be resting on their laurels as they look to continue making roster changes with the hopes of competing for the NBA championship.

As the trade deadline gets closer by the week, it is time to make the top three targets for every NBA team right now. While not every one of these players will be realistically attainable quickly, it is interesting to see the flexibility every NBA team has when it comes to making trades and moving on from their own talent. Without further ado, here are the top targets for every NBA franchise.

Trade Targets: Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby, Jerami Grant

The Atlanta Hawks have a strong enough squad in the East this season with the presence of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray to get into the playoffs. Trae Young is an All-Star and one of the best point guards in the NBA right now, averaging 26.5 points and 10.4 assists per game. As good as Atlanta’s backcourt is on paper, they need frontcourt depth.

Pascal Siakam is one of the best in the world at the power forward spot and can even play center, while O.G. Anunoby can play three positions as required. Jerami Grant might be on the outs in Portland because he is nearly 30 years old and belongs on a contending team rather than a rebuilding one. Any one of these three players will push Atlanta back into the mix as a top-four or top-five side in the conference going forward.

NBA

Top 3 Targets For Every NBA Team Right Now

Explore the strategic aspirations of every NBA team as they eye the top three potential player targets.

The 2023-24 season is underway, and we have a great indication of which teams will separate themselves from the rest of the pack now and going forward. That doesn’t mean the best teams in the NBA will be resting on their laurels as they look to continue making roster changes with the hopes of competing for the NBA championship.

As the trade deadline gets closer by the week, it is time to make the top three targets for every NBA team right now. While not every one of these players will be realistically attainable quickly, it is interesting to see the flexibility every NBA team has when it comes to making trades and moving on from their own talent. Without further ado, here are the top targets for every NBA franchise.

Atlanta Hawks

Trade Targets: Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby, Jerami Grant

The Atlanta Hawks have a strong enough squad in the East this season with the presence of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray to get into the playoffs. Trae Young is an All-Star and one of the best point guards in the NBA right now, averaging 26.5 points and 10.4 assists per game. As good as Atlanta’s backcourt is on paper, they need frontcourt depth.

Pascal Siakam is one of the best in the world at the power forward spot and can even play center, while O.G. Anunoby can play three positions as required. Jerami Grant might be on the outs in Portland because he is nearly 30 years old and belongs on a contending team rather than a rebuilding one. Any one of these three players will push Atlanta back into the mix as a top-four or top-five side in the conference going forward.

Boston Celtics

Trade Targets: Trey Lyles, T.J. McConnell, Dorian Finney-Smith

The Boston Celtics are contending for an NBA title this year and have one of the best starting lineups in the NBA and an excellent backup big man in Al Horford. However, the more depth they have, the better. Kristaps Porzingis is known to be injury-prone and Horford is 37 years old and counting meaning a backup big is needed. Expect the Celtics to chase the likes of Trey Lyles, who is 28 years old and a modern big.

Otherwise, some more defense is always useful after losing players such as Malcolm Brogdon and Marcus Smart in recent seasons in an effort to add size. McConnell is a veteran who can play a similar role to Payton Pritchard while Dorian Finney-Smith would be a dream target that would result in incredible budget squeezing by Brad Stevens. Otherwise, expect the Celtics to proceed as currently constructed.

Brooklyn Nets

Trade Targets: Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, De’Andre Hunter

Brooklyn started a rebuild around Mikal Bridges but they could actually be buyers down the road. As of right now, Brooklyn is decent with Bridges and a better version of Ben Simmons (6.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.7 assists per game). Brooklyn might be considered sellers but could actually make a move for a player like Zach LaVine to remain competitive. They might even make a move for double-double machine Nikola Vucevic in the same light.

However, if things go south by the trade deadline, the Nets might even consider losing it all to tank and acquire picks. With Bridges their primary trade asset, many teams will be interested and the Nets could ask for young players as well. The Hawks might need a player like Bridges, so a swap with fillers and picks including De’Andre Hunter could be realistic.