The Boston Celtics’ front office executive, Danny Ainge, has publicly stated that his squad needs “perimeter shooting with size.” It’s unlikely he’s thinking about acquiring another center. The Celtics lack depth at the wing positions, and he emphasized that any new addition must be a committed defender.
Cousins might not fulfill either of those criteria. However, Boston may find it challenging to locate someone who does.
Versatile wings who excel on both offense and defense are scarce, and the Celtics might not be inclined to make a major trade unless the player they acquire is guaranteed a spot in their primary closing lineup—which, when healthy, already includes Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum.
Acquiring Cousins could be considered a long-shot gamble with potential upside. The Tristan Thompson signing hasn’t been successful, and although Cousins may not offer the same defensive flexibility, he could improve the team’s defensive rebounding and offensive capabilities. The offense struggles when either Brown or Tatum is on the bench.
Adding Cousins would also give the Celtics more flexibility to trade Thompson, who serves as their most valuable asset for matching salaries in potential deals. Furthermore, Cousins wouldn’t demand a significant amount of guaranteed playing time, which would create more opportunities for Robert Williams III to take on a larger role.
Boston is already experimenting with lineups featuring two traditional big men, such as Thompson and Daniel Theis. They have even considered using Grant Williams at the small forward position. If the Celtics intend to continue exploring this strategy, adding another center who might be capable of spacing the floor and attacking the basket could be a worthwhile endeavor.
