A surprising trade rumor just opened the door for either the Los Angeles Lakers or Boston Celtics to add a perfect player in the front court for the second half.
We are a week out from the NBA trade deadline, and there are tons of rumors swirling around the league. While Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks is the biggest story in the sport, there are sure to be other major or under-the-radar moves made before Feb. 5.
Both the LA Lakers and Celtics are sure to window-shop the trade market for options to improve the roster over the next week. Interestingly enough, they may be searching for the same types of players.
Boston has overachieved in a major way this season and is in the top three of the Eastern Conference despite being without top star Jayson Tatum all season. However, one area where they need some help is the front court.
The LA Lakers defense has been a major problem all season. With Luka Doncic and LeBron James going nowhere, they really could use a defensive anchor at the five spot instead of offseason addition Deandre Ayton. Well, a really good option for both teams may surprisingly be available.
Should the LA Lakers or Celtics target Isaiah Hartenstein trade?
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Oklahoma City Thunder have actually been shopping veteran center Isaiah Hartenstein. The 27-year-old has a $28.5 million club option for next season that they are unlikely to pick up. So moving him now, before they cut ties in the summer, is something the organization is allegedly considering.
Hartenstein would be a great addition for the LA Lakers to help improve their defense. While he won’t completely fix the problem, he has proven during his stops in OKC and with the New York Knicks that he can be the quarterback of a defense and get teammates better positioned on that side of the ball.
The Celtics already have a top-three defense in the NBA (110.1). Adding Hartenstein could make them the best unit in the league. An elite defense and the potential return of Tatum would make them an NBA Finals dark horse. Plus, the eight-year vet is a strong rebounder and is a plus for any offense because of his ball movement.
The biggest question is whether the LA Lakers or Celtics have the trade chips the Thunder covet.
