Celtics offer disrespectful trade package to Clippers in exchange for center Ivica Zubac originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The Boston Celtics’ frontcourt is far from subpar.
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Nemeans Queta and Luka Garza are both serviceable low-post centers who help the Boston Celtics remain in contention for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
That said, there are better big men in the league, leading many to speculate that the Celtics will try to pursue an upgrade before the February 5 trade deadline. According to a recent report, the Celtics are doing just that, providing the Los Angeles Clippers with a Rude trade plan Credit their skilled 7-foot center.
“As the Clippers struggled to start the season with a 6-21 record, the Celtics inquired about an exploratory framework surrounding (Anfernee) Simmons, a first-round pick and a future first-round pick swap for Ivica Zubac and salary-fillers, but didn’t gain any traction, league sources told HoopsHype,” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported Wednesday.
While draft capital may have gauged the Clippers’ interest, it’s no surprise that Simmons clearly has not. The former Portland Trail Blazers star isn’t having a season that screams “high-value trade asset.”
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Simmons played 48 games for the Celtics this season, averaging 13.9 points per game, shooting 43.6% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range.
Why would the Clippers feel the need to trade their double-double machine and efficient 28-year-old big man for a guard who isn’t a hot commodity on the trade market?
Considering Los Angeles has won 16 of its last 20 games and is back in the playoffs with Zubac controlling the paint, it’s not far-fetched to say Los Angeles made the right decision by rejecting the Celtics’ offer.
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