The Boston Celtics may see Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova as an option before the February 2017 trade deadline, with the Cs looking to improve their rebounding game.
One of the key problems for the Celtics this season is rebounding. The Celtics are at the bottom 10 of the league in that area, only posting 42.4 rebounds per game. While the Celtics have the assets to make any potential deal work, the team has yet to make a move at this point.
According to Brian Robb of Boston.com, one viable target the Celtics could consider is Ersan Ilyasova, who has been playing well for the Sixers.
"As long as the cost is not too high, the Celtics couldn't find much of a better fit for their roster than Ilyasova," Robb wrote. "Adding him to the mix might make a player like Jonas Jerebko or Kelly Olynyk expendable, but it would be a net positive for Boston for the season."
Ilyasova is stuffing the stat sheet since getting traded to Philadelphia by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 29-year-old forward is posting a career-high average in points, scoring 14.2 points a game, while grabbing 6.4 rebounds. Not only would Ilyasova provide the Celtics a boost in the rebounding area, but his respectable 45.8 shooting from the field would also give Boston an outside threat to help spread the floor.
With the 76ers yet to address their crowded frontcourt, there is a chance Ilyasova becomes a likely trade candidate due to his expiring contract. If the Celtics would develop genuine interest in acquiring the eight-year veteran, an ESPN trade machine-approved deal of Terry Rozier and Jonas Jerebko for Ilyasova could work, considering Philly's need of a reliable point guard.
The Celtics are expected to be major players in the trade market as the team looks to enter the playoff picture in Horford's first year with the team. If major trades won't be available for Boston, trading for Ilyasova could be an alternative worth considering.
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