Brad Stevens throws a big ol’ wet blanket on that Tristan Thompson rumor

Author Sports Hub Podcasts

March 24th, 2021 11:31 AM

Celtics big man Tristan Thompson was the subject of a troubling recent rumor that he was a problem in the locker room. Teammate Jaylen Brown quickly took to Twitter to dispel the rumor.

Now the rumor has been crushed by head coach Brad Stevens. He told 98.5 the Sports Hub’s Zolak and Bertrand that Thompson has been pretty much the polar opposite of a problem.

“Good for Jaylen, I agree with Jaylen,” Stevens said. “Last week I was going to Indiana, according to everybody, right? Rumors are sometimes right, and sometimes they’re wrong. I don’t know where that came from or whatever the case may be. But Tristan’s been a good teammate, a good guy, all that stuff. So, it’s disappointing to hear that something like that would be out there.”

Listen below for the full interview with Brad Stevens on Zolak and Bertrand.

MORE: Jaylen Brown Disputes Tristan Thompson Rumor

Scroll down for the Celtics’ rumored targets at the 2021 NBA Trade Deadline.

• PF Aaron Gordon, Magic

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  Criticized for never really fulfilling his potential in Orlando, one has to wonder how Gordon would play on a contender and untethered from Nikola Vucevic. He had a six-game stretch with Vucevic hurt last year where he averaged 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists on 53 percent shooting. It’s a gamble, but the Arizona product's explosiveness and versatility are two things the Celtics could really use.

• PF John Collins, Hawks

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  The 23-year-old projects to be a restricted free agent after failing (so far) to come to terms with Atlanta on an extension. Like Vucevic, Collins has just about everything Brad Stevens desires in a big man, but he’s younger and more athletic. Any team that trades for Collins would immediately want to sign him to a long-term deal.
  
  Like the New Radicals said, “you get what you give.” The Hawks are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff chase and management will be looking to build on that momentum, not wave the white flag. That perception should affect the asking price.

• C Nikola Vucevic, Magic

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  The two-time All-Star is the proverbial 20 and 10 guy a certain group of Celtics fans have lusted after ever since the ink dried on Al Horford’s contract. A polished offensive weapon, Vucevic’s perimeter shooting and passing skills also fit right into Brad Stevens’ system. 
  
  Just because the Magic are open for business, however, doesn’t mean the 30-year-old will come cheap. A deal for the big man would likely send a substantial piece in the direction of Disney World.
• PF LaMarcus Aldridge, Spurs

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  Just 123 points shy of 20,000 for his career - a milestone only 50 players in NBA history have achieved - Aldridge has been knocking down mid-range jumpers since Jayson Tatum was in elementary school. It’s reasonable to ask how much he has left in the tank.
  
  At minimum, he’s another guy who can help, but he’s not much better than what you already have in the middle. A buyout deal for Aldridge would add to the big man glut unless somebody in the Theis-Thompson-Time Lord triumvirate is headed out the door.

• C Andre Drummond, Cavaliers

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  Christian Arcand wanted the Celtics to trade Gordon Hayward for this guy, last year. Somehow only 27, Mr. Drummond can't help but be labeled the classic “puts up numbers on a bad team” player. Like former teammate Greg Monroe a couple of years back (or Enes Kanter last season), the four-time rebounding champ will hammer the boards, and you can throw it inside to him in a pinch.
  
  Rather than blowing most of their trade exception with this move, the Celtics should pursue Drummond as a buyout candidate.

• SG Evan Fournier, Magic

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  Fans would love to see the Frenchman and onetime man bun aficionado as the anchor of Boston’s bench. His shooting and playmaking ability would bring a dramatic upgrade to the reserve unit. He’s on an expiring contract, so likely wouldn’t cost a ton; would the Celtics look to bring him back during the off-season? He could also be part of a bigger deal for Aaron Gordon.
• F Harrison Barnes, Kings

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  A former NBA champion with Golden State, Barnes is quietly compiling one of the best all-around seasons of his nine-year career in Sacramento. The contract isn’t prohibitive, but the thought of the veteran on the Celtics begs the question - how much different is this team, with Harrison Barnes, from the team with Gordon Hayward that wasn’t good enough to make the Finals last year?

• PF Larry Nance Jr., Cavaliers

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  Nance isn’t a star but can jump out of the gym and packs a number of helpful tools the Celtics could use. His affordable contract (roughly $20 million total over the next two years) doesn’t hurt. The son of the former Suns and Cavs great is an attractive fit, but his arrival would have to be paired with that of another piece to truly impact the current roster.

• F Jerami Grant, Pistons

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  The seventh-year forward bet on himself in free agency and has taken the NBA by storm in his first season with the Pistons. He’s got everything the Celtics need and then some, putting up 23 points per game.
  
  With Detroit last in the Eastern Conference, the development of some of their younger players may not coincide with Grant’s prime years. That makes him "available," but it's unlikely the Celtics have what it takes to pry him loose.
• SG Bogdan Bogdanovic, Hawks

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  Not to be confused with Utah's Bojan Bogdanovic. Is that like naming somebody “Adam Jones” in Serbia? 
  
  The C’s need scoring depth, and this guy checks that box. A dynamic player who was coveted at the deadline last year, the Hawks threw $72 million at him last off-season. Their roster is jammed, so they might have to reconsider, and their loss would be the Celtics' gain. But they’d also be committed to him until 2023. As MassLive's Brian Robb mentioned on a recent podcast, would Boston opt for Bogdanovic over Marcus Smart when the latter's contact is up?
  
  He could also be part of a bigger deal for John Collins.

• PF Nemanja Bjelica, Kings

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  With a career 39 percent mark from downtown, this classic “stretch four” bomber would improve Boston’s scoring depth, and you could probably get him for cheap. Bjelica nonetheless would further crowd an already packed frontcourt. He could be part of a bigger deal for Harrison Barnes, which might see a current Celtics big man headed to Sacramento in return.

Listen to Zolak and Bertrand weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

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Boston Celtics,Brad Stevens,NBA,Tristan Thompson