Morning sports update: Jackie MacMullan discussed the Celtics’ trade deadline options
"I'll be absolutely shocked if they don't do anything."
The Celtics lost to the Bucks 121-119 on Wednesday, with Daniel Theis missing a 3-pointer at the buzzer for what would have been the winning shot. Boston faces Milwaukee again on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Bruins are back at TD Garden tonight, and so are fans for the first time since March, 2020. Boston will face the Islanders at 7 p.m., having activated several players (including David Pastrnak) off of the COVID-19 restricted list.
In addition to getting players back, the Bruins will also host 2,000 fans at TD Garden.
Elsewhere, Major League Soccer released the full 2021 schedule. The Revolution open the season on April 17 against the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.
Jackie MacMullan on the Celtics’ trade deadline options: Speaking as a guest on a Wednesday episode of “The Jump,” longtime NBA reporter Jackie MacMullan described the Celtics’ trade deadline circumstances in stark terms.
“The Celtics have to do something,” MacMullan began, noting that while it isn’t the customary style of president of basketball operations Danny Ainge to make a deadline deal, exceptions might have to be made. At 21-23, Boston is clinging to the eighth place spot in the Eastern Conference.
“This team has to do something,” said MacMullan. “There’s a malaise over this team, they’re one of the worst fourth quarter teams in basketball. More importantly to me, there’s a restlessness to this team. You’ve got two young stars that are saying, ‘Hey man, I need some help.’ So you’ve got to get them some help.”
Still, MacMullan isn’t sure the Celtics would trade Marcus Smart, one of the team’s leaders.
“What my intel tells me is they would prefer to use draft picks and a young player,” MacMullan explained. “A draft pick and a young player to get Aaron Gordon.”
Of course, that offer might not be enough, as there are other interested parties calling the Magic about Gordon.
Ultimately, MacMullan thinks Ainge’s hand will be forced by the Celtics’ current situation. Exactly what that will mean remains to be seen.
“I’ll be absolutely shocked if they don’t do anything,” MacMullan noted, adding that circumstances have changed in 2021.
“Here’s the difference though: Usually Danny Ainge has a treasure trove of draft picks, not this time,” said MacMullan. “They have their own picks and some protected second-round picks, but they don’t have the abundance of first-round picks that they’ve had in the past. And yet they’ve got to do something to shake up this team. This team is drowning.”
Trivia: When the Celtics acquired Isaiah Thomas in Feb. 2015, it was part of a three-team trade. What 2004 NBA champion was a part of that deal, heading from Boston to Detroit?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He was a 2002 first-round pick from Kentucky.
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Jordan Nixon’s buzzer-beater from Wednesday night
:
AT THE BUZZER!!!
NIXON CALLS GAME!!!#ncaaW pic.twitter.com/yduPbpN1tu
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 25, 2021
Kyle Van Noy’s press conference on Wednesday: Van Noy discussed Cam Newton as well as how he feels about returning to New England after a season in Miami.
On this day: In 1947, Holy Cross defeated Oklahoma 58-47 to win the national championship. George Kaftan led the Crusaders with 18 points, and a freshman guard named Bob Cousy chipped in with two points on two free throws.
Daily highlight: Boston College’s Margo Carlin skillfully finished off a series of quick passes with a goal scored from midair in a 7-3 win over Northeastern (goal at the 1:56 mark).
TONS of highlights in today’s win over Northeastern! pic.twitter.com/rsqmlacVFx
— BCFH (@BCFieldHockey) March 24, 2021
Trivia answer: Tayshaun Prince
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