Do The Celtics Need To Make A Trade?
This article is part of our NBA Tips series.
The Celtics have the best record in the NBA at 36-15. They are currently considered title favorites but will the Celtics need to make a trade to fulfill their championship potential in 2023?
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Boston Celtics NBA Championship Odds for 2023
The Boston Celtics NBA Championship odds for 2023 are +400 at BetMGM. Those are the lowest odds for any single team, but the Celtics are significant underdogs in the combined field.
Other top mobile betting apps have similar odds on Celtics titles. FanDuel Sportsbook has the Celtics at +390, DraftKings Sportsbook has them at +370 and Caesars Sportsbook has Boston at +360.
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Why the Celtics need to make a trade
Boston reached the NBA Finals last year before losing to the Golden State Warriors in six games. Regardless of whether the Warriors make it out of the Western Conference again or another team emerges from the field, a battle-hardened opponent would await Boston in the NBA Finals.
Returning to this stage won’t be easy as the Eastern Conference includes elite teams like the Bucks, Nets and 76ers. Boston was fortunate to face the Bucks last postseason with an injured Khris Middleton, but the 2021 champions could be healthier for a potential rematch in 2023.
The Boston Celtics’ 2023 NBA championship chances could take a hit if the 76ers or Bucks overtake Boston in standings and gain home field advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Nuggets and Grizzlies are also within striking distance of the Celtics’ record, and both Western Conference teams could be jockeying for home in a potential NBA Finals match. A trade for an Impact player could help the Celtics in the playoffs and also improve Boston’s 2023 NBA championship chances by improving the team’s regular-season performance and helping secure the No. 1 spot.
Who could the Celtics trade to improve their NBA Championship chances?
Adding a key rotating piece in a trade could help the Celtics improve their +400 NBA Championship Odds for 2023 at BetMGM, but are such players available? The short answer is yes, and Boston should be willing to part with the picks and/or players required to acquire such a difference maker.
Boston’s biggest needs are either a defensive-minded big man that adds depth up front, or a forward-stretched ground that offers a mix of size and distance alongside goalscorers Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Celtics acquired Danilo Gallinari to fill the latter need but he tore his ACL and now Gallinari’s contract expiring for the purpose of matching salary could be the key to trading for his replacement.
If the Celtics decide they need to make a trade, some possible targets include San Antonio’s Jakob Poeltl or Phoenix’s Bismack Biyombo if they want a rim protector, or Charlotte’s PJ Washington if they want a shooter. Adding one of these players could prove crucial in the playoffs, whether it’s defending Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid or surpassing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
