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The Boston Celtics have started their season 5-6 and, as expected, are clearly reeling from their offseason losses. This summer, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Kristaps Porzingis were either traded or signed elsewhere. Jayson Tatum, meanwhile, still has a long recovery ahead of him after tearing his Achilles tendon. The Celtics are expected to take the season off, remaining mediocre all year long. However, once Tatum returns to form next season, Boston should pick up where they left off. Replacing Porzingis with a floor-spacing big man remains a priority. The Celtics have been linked to one of the best in the entire NBA. Boston Celtics Linked to Lauri Markkanen Linking the Celtics to Lauri Markkanen is nothing new. He is one of the best shooters at his size and position, and is a serviceable defender, especially with a traditional rim-protector down low. With Neemias Queta stepping up, Markkanen’s fit is more apparent than ever before. “You put Lauri Markkanen in Boston playing that Kristaps Porzingis role for the next four years, because he’s under contract for four plus years now, you have the reconstitution of a potential Celtics dynasty,” predicted Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix. “I understand the price tag is high, Lauri Markkanen makes like $50 million per year. It’s hard to do deals like that. You’re gonna have to give some draft capital to your old pal, Danny Ainge, and Austin Ainge in Utah. But man, when I watched Lauri Markkanen, that guy was born to play in this Celtics system opposite Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. That would be the guy, if he’s available.” This season, Markkanen is averaging 28.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.5 “stocks.” His shooting efficiency is well below his career average, but with Tatum, Brown, and Derrick White drawing attention, he would get plenty of open looks in Boston. Mock Trade Sends Lauri Markkanen to Boston Celtics Unless Boston waits until the offseason to conduct a trade, pulling off a deal is tricky. In order to stay below the salary cap, the Celtics would have to give up a sizeable haul of players. Of course, Ainge is not interested in established stars, so draft picks would have to be included. Full Mock Trade Details Boston Celtics receive: Lauri Markkanen Utah Jazz receive: Anfernee Simons, Payton Pritchard, Luka Garza, Sam Hauser, 2027 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick, 2032 first-round pick swap Anfernee Simons and Luka Garza are on expiring contracts and don’t have a long-term role in Boston. Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard, meanwhile, are on team-friendly deals and could slot in well with the Jazz or be flipped down the road for even more draft picks.
