NBA Rumors: Celtics Begin Talks To Sign Center, Offer Guard New Deal

The Boston Celtics are exploring various options ahead of next season and are said to have held serious talks about acquiring Houston Rockets center Clint Capela via a trade this summer. They are exploring various options, especially with Kyrie Irving’s future with the team remaining uncertain at the moment.

The Celtics point guard will enter free agency this summer and at the moment it seems like he will leave and join Brooklyn Nets. Danny Ainge is still unsure about Irving’ plan, but the Celtics general manager is certain to have other moves planned in the event of the guard leaving for a new franchise.

Anthony Davis is high on the Celtics’ wish list but it remains to be seen if they will give up the bulk of their young core to sign the power forward, who could leave Boston when he enters free agency next season. If Irving leaves, Ainge is unlikely to sacrifice too many of the young players in a deal that will be very risky for the team.

The Celtics could opt to build a team around the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. NBA insider Steve Kyler reports that the Celtics have engaged “pretty seriously” with the Rockets to explore a trade for Capela. The Houston franchise’s general manager did indicate that all the players except James Harden will be made available this summer as they are looking to rebuild and make a run at the title yet again.

Capela averaged 16.6 points and 12.7 rebounds per game with the Rockets last season as they finished with a 53-29 record in the regular season. They were again knocked out of the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors, but this time in the Western Conference semifinals.

Another player, the Celtics have begun talks with is Terry Rozier, whom they are keen to retain. The point guard indicated that he wants out from the team after playing backup to Irving the last two seasons and he will be a restricted free agent this summer.

The Celtics are ready to offer him a new deal and if Irving leaves for Brooklyn this summer, Rozier could accept and commit his long-term future to the Boston franchise. He played a key role when the Celtics made the Eastern Conference finals in 2018 and were just one game away from making the NBA Finals.