Could Celtics Tristan Thompson be traded this offseason after Al Horford joined Bostons roster?
The excitement of the past week is only starting to settle with the Celtics in the middle of it all. It started with Kemba Walker being traded to the Thunder as the Cs reunited with Al Horford. Then Ime Udoka is set to become Bostons next head coach. Thats a lot of movement  and the offseason has just begun. Such is life for the Celtics, who are looking to improve their present and future while shuffling a coaching change and new president of basketball operations. Now itll be about improving the roster around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Bostons wings are still the core and strength of its team, but suddenly, the center spot has four bodies who could see the floor: Horford, Robert Williams III, Moses Brown and Tristan Thompson. Thats a lot of height and only so many minutes. And of the four centers, Thompson appears to be the most likely to be shipped via the trade market. He only has one year left on his contract at a $9.7 million salary, which makes him movable. There was reportedly some interest in Thompsons services at last years trade deadline, too. Thompson had an up-and-down past season, though he did have his best game in a Celtics uniform in the Game 3 win over the Nets in the first round. He also contracted COVID-19 midway through the year, which was sandwiched between a frustrating season. The numbers and contract situation dont quite shake out for Thompson to stay in Boston for the long-term. Compared to Horford or Williams, hes also a traditional big who doesnt boast as many versatile skills either. Of course, his toughness down in the paint is a welcome sign and could be something Boston values. Horford is locked in through the next two seasons, including a partially-guaranteed final year. Williams will be a restricted free agent, but hes shown potential to be the center of the future, pending his health. Brown signed a four-year deal with Oklahoma City, though the final three years of his contract are non-guaranteed. Thats not to say Thompson cant fit into the mold of this team. But thats dependent on Udoka and how he wants to use the roster. Stevens featured the double big lineup of Thompson and Daniel Theis often last season, which functioned, haphazardly at times, because of Theis ability to space the floor. That same principle could be applied to the current batch of bigs centering around Horford. The 35-year-old can shoot and pass at a high level, opening up a different element of the roster. But mixing Horford with even more bigs was partly why his 76ers stint was such an unproductive fit. But Stevens did bounce around the idea earlier this week. Tristans ability to switch and Tristans ability to rebound allows him to play with a spacer like Al, who also has a lot of flexibility, Stevens said. Robs ability to play in the dunker and hitting Al in the seams and playing with the lob game gives you flexibility. Those are things well have to figure out. That wont be as much my decision once those times come, once the roster is set. Then Ill be out of that.  Those roster decisions, of course, wont come down to Stevens anymore. Once Udoka is formally introduced as Bostons 18th head coach, hell be the guy leading the way. Stevens will be merely the person constructing the roster as he sees fit. The Celtics received more financial flexibility in the Walker trade, but their cap situation is still in a murky place. They have important decisions to make this offseason with guys like Evan Fournier, Williams and others. Thompson could be one outlet the Celtics explore to upgrade their roster, especially as theyre in need of a point guard and scoring boost.