Celtics fans would riot if they traded for the newest name on the trade block
The Boston Celtics are this summer's prime example of a team trading players it values because of constraints imposed by an unforgiving collective bargaining agreement.
After consecutive campaigns over the second apron, the franchise parted with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. They also lost Luke Kornet to the San Antonio Spurs in free agency. When Jonathan Kuminga's restricted free agency gets settled, the Golden State Warriors could quickly sign Al Horford.
However, Boston could now benefit from another team that's working to shed salary. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the Philadelphia 76ers are motivated to trade at least one, if not both, Kelly Oubre and Andre Drummond. The reason is to create enough space to re-sign restricted free agent Quentin Grimes while staying under the first apron.
"There has been buzz all summer long about the Sixers looking to potentially move one of, if not both, Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre," reports Fischer. "If they are able to find a deal for one of those two guys as we get closer to camp, that would open up some more wiggle room for Philadelphia to be able to pay Grimes a little bit more."
If that's true, the Celtics could swoop in and acquire either individual at a low cost.
Should the Celtics trade for Andre Drummond?
Oubre is the better of these two players, certainly in the opinion of this author. However, Boston has plenty of wings. Furthermore, most of them are younger prospects with a chance to prove themselves. With Jayson Tatum rehabbing a torn Achilles and title contention seemingly on pause, they should get that opportunity.
Seeing who can capitalize and carve out their place in the NBA is one of the most productive uses of this season. Players like Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and offseason signing Josh Minott all have a chance to prove they're capable of becoming multi-year contributors. Scheierman seems like the safest bet and most entrenched among that trio.
There's also rookie Hugo Gonzalez. The first-round pick is raw. He must adapt to a dramatically different and faster style of play than in the ACB. However, the Celtics were wise to take a home run swing with the 28th overall selection. Now they should afford him opportunities to play through those growing pains.
Adding Oubre to an already crowded mix is a suboptimal way to fill the Celtics' final roster spot. It's an unnecessary avenue to raising the team's tax bill. The depth chart at center makes acquiring Drummond more reasonable.
Behind Neemias Queta, who impressed at EuroBasket, and Luka Garza are Xavier Tillman Sr., Chris Boucher, and Amari Williams. As previously explored, Tillman could deliver a bounce-back season and prove last year was an outlier. However, it also may have been the start of a rapid decline for an undersized big man who has dealt with knee injuries.
Boucher is best when operating at the four in double-big lineups. Still, he allows Joe Mazzulla to deploy small-ball lineups with him at center that could overcome concerns on defense and on the boards with a potent offensive attack.
Williams enters the Association on a two-way deal. His skill set is intriguing. However, the rookie's game is raw. He figures to spend most of his time developing in the G League.
Bringing Drummond into the fold is justifiable. The Celtics could find a role for him despite only being a scoring threat around the basket. The six-foot-11 center is coming off a campaign where he averaged 7.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks. That production came in 18.8 minutes of playing time across 40 appearances with the 76ers.
The former UConn Huskies star is still a capable contributor at 32 years old. However, parting with draft capital, no matter how heavily protected that second-round pick is, seems like a poor use of that asset.
Even if Drummond were a free agent, Boston is probably better off maximizing luxury tax savings, or at least searching for a younger player more likely to help beyond this season.
If Drummond's on the trade block, it won't take much for the Celtics to acquire him. Still, if they're going to put more resources into their 2025-26 roster, there are better uses of them than going in this direction.
Broncos HC Sean Payton Praises Legend After Historic Milestone
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton moved up the coaching ranks in Week 1, and he surpassed a franchise legend to do it.
The Broncos beat the Tennessee Titans, logging a historic victory over rookie No. 1 overall draft pick and quarterback Cam Ward. With that, Payton earned his 171st regular-season victory, good for the 19th most in NFL history.
Payton overtook legendary Broncos HC Mike Shanahan in the process.
Broncos HC Sean Payton Reacts to Passing Mike Shanahan on Regular Season Wins List
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on during a game against the Tennessee Titans.
Payton spoke candidly about the milestone after Denver’s 20-12 win that was also his 19th as Broncos head coach.
“There’s certain times where you feel age. When I see good friends, they stay the same. When you see your good friends’ children growing up, you feel age. And you guys have heard me say before, I grew up on Mike Shanahan going to school at Eastern Illinois. At that time, he was the one guy that made it out, and made it into the NFL,” Payton told reporters via teleconference on September 8. “He’s been a tremendous close friend and, I would say, confidant. So, when I hear that, you don’t pay attention to that.
“I don’t know where that master list is, and it’s not something you look at. It’s kind of like, ‘All right.’ But it does put in perspective, maybe, how fortunate, how long the career has been. And then, how many good players I’ve been able to coach. And look, let’s hope I have a chance to win a second Super Bowl like Mike Shanahan. ”
Payton could end the 2025 season 11th on the all-time coaching wins list, overtaking Chuck Knox, but that would require an undefeated season from the Broncos. If the Broncos match last season’s win total, Payton could get as high as 13th.
To do that, Payton would have to pass to active coaches Pete Caroll of the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens HC John Harbaugh.
Payton also passed another legend and two-time champ, Tom Coughlin, in the Broncos’ victory.
Sean Payton: Mike Shanahan ‘Going in Hall of Fame’
GettyMike Shanahan of the Denver Broncos motions on the field during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Shanahan is still the Broncos’ all-time winningest coach, and Payton sees more accolades on the way for his “close friend.”
“This is his year. This year, the next year, very soon, he’s going in the Hall of Fame,” Payton said. “Probably should have been in two, three years back. But that’s coming real quick. And so, something like that is – I think you reflect on it more than you focus on it.”
Perhaps Payton can pay tribute to Shanahan by emulating his Super Bowl run as he wishes.
Shanahan notched the Broncos’ first two Super Bowl wins, getting them in back-to-back seasons in 1997 and 1998.
Shanahan is still the Broncos’ all-time winningest coach.
Payton has been open about talking about reaching the Super Bowl with the 2025 Broncos, citing them among his previous title-contending teams. Fittingly, Shanahan has been vocal in support of that idea.
“They’ve got a chance to win the big one, and that’s what their goal is,” Shanahan said, per Tomasson on September 6.
Payton and the Broncos’ next test will be on the road against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2.
