NBA: 4 contenders who can catch up with the Golden State Warriors

Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors players and staff pose with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors players and staff pose with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
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May 8, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles around Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first quarter in game four of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles around Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first quarter in game four of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics

This one is probably my favorites because there is so much they can do and get better. Rumors have been circulating for quite some time now about them acquiring either Jimmy Butler or Gordon Hayward either by trade or free agency.

Also, the most recent rumor is Blake Griffin to Boston. But why can’t they get two of the three? They can trade their No. 3 pick in this year’s draft plus some future picks that they are loaded with and also some prospects they have on the team now.

Then pick up either Hayward or Griffin in free agency. Let’s say they make the trade for Butler, then unload everyone except their core guys and they pick up Griffin. That would make a lineup of Isaiah Thomas, Jimmy Butler, Jae Crowder, Blake Griffin, and Al Horford with Avery Bradley as your sixth man.

That would be a great lineup. Or let’s say the pickup Hayward instead of Griffin. That could be a lineup of Thomas, Butler, Hayward, Amir Johnson (if they re-sign him), and Horford with either Crowder or Bradley as the sixth man. That would also be a great lineup. This is the most important offseason for Boston’s future. They have all these draft picks and prospects and they need to do something with them or else this rebuild would be a failure and will never compete.