Celtics could pursue trade for Rudy Gobert

The Celtics have been one of the main players linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo in trade talks, but they appear to have other plans on the horizon as well.

A trade for Antetokounmpo would almost certainly require Boston to trade Jaylen Brown, as their salaries match. But ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reiterated that the chances of the Celtics trading Brown this offseason are very low.

So, unless Boston can get into a trade for Antetokounmpo that doesn’t require them to give up Brown, it appears they will look for alternative ways to improve their frontcourt.

One potential name to look out for is Rudy Gobert. And according to Jake Fisherthe Celtics could pursue a trade for Gobert that would send Derrick White to Minnesota as their main returning piece.

White and Gobert have identical salaries, making a one-for-one swap possible between the two, though it’s unclear if either side would look for additional compensation in the deal.

“In reference to Minnesota’s interest in White, which Sam Amick of The Athletic first reported Friday morning, trading him for Rudy Gobert would represent an obvious salary match,” Fisher wrote. “Sources say Boston, moreover, has inquired about Gobert before … most recently at the February trade deadline. Now I don’t think the Wolves are actively shopping Gobert, either way, but Minnesota is reportedly as exploratory and open as Boston when it comes to shaking up the roster around the team’s apparent alpha (Anthony Edwards).”

White has been a point guard for the Celtics since they were traded in the 2021-22 offseason, and has been an integral part of their championship season. But in the playoffs last year, he struggled badly with his shooting. Boston still has Payton Pritchard available to man the point if Boston needs him, and plenty of flexibility in the lineup with Brown and Jayson Tatum able to play multiple positions in the lineup.

The Celtics have also been linked to Trey Murphy in offseason trade rumors, along with Antetokounmpo. Brad Stevens told reporters in his end-of-season press conference that he would do anything to improve the team this offseason, and based on the names Boston has been linked to, that’s absolutely true so far.

The Celtics are looking for an improvement in their position, despite seeing significant improvement in Neemias Koita last season. He was very serviceable in the regular season, but foul trouble in the playoffs hurt Boston. Adding Gobert to the mix would give the Celtics a lot of lineup flexibility, as they could play Gobert and Queta together at forward and center, or use Tatum at the fourth and bring Queta in off the bench.

Either way, Gobert looks like he would be a huge improvement to Boston’s lineup. He’s on the older side as a center, but he’s a multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year who can add interior targets and be a steady veteran presence alongside Tatum and Brown.

The last time the Celtics made a great move at quarterback, it was Kristaps Porzingis who helped Boston win a championship. Gobert could follow suit.