Trade rumors are thick at the heels of Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks in recent weeks. This time, the spotlight's shining on the big men of both teams: Celtics' Kelly Olynyk and Amir Johnson, and the Mavs' Andrew Bogut.
GameNGuide reports that the Celtics are in dire need of a center that can both be a rim defender and a shot blocker, and no one in their current roster can supply this need. As evidenced by their dismal statistics - fifth team with the lowest rebounding percentage in the current NBA season - the lack of rim protection has turned into their Achilles heel.
The Celtics reportedly have their sights on the Mavs' Bogut to fill this gaping hole in the center. The 32-year-old Bogut has a career average of 6.4 defensive rebounds per game in 11 seasons. In his current season with the Dallas Mavericks, he's notched an average of 7.8 defensive rebounds in 16 games.
Unfortunately, this streak would have to remain unchanged for at least 10 games; the Mavs recently ruled their big man inactive after Bogut suffered a bone bruise in his right knee in a game against the Charlotte Hornets on Dec. 5. This is a big blow to the Mavs, who have already announced that their star forward Dirk Nowitzki will be sidelined for an unspecified period due to a strained tendon. The Mavs currently have the worst record in the Western Conference with 4-17.
The names of Boston Celtics' big men Kelly Olynyk and Amir Johnson have been thrown in the rumor mill as probable trade options for Bogut. HNGN also mentions the possibility of Boston giving up their 2018 first-round pick to convince the Mavs to give up their big man.
With Dallas facing what can possibly be their worst season in 18 years, this trade would be beneficial for them. Olynyk, 25, and Johnson, 29, are young players that can form the new core line-up that the Mavs hope to rebuild after Nowitzki announces his retirement.
