The Celtics' approach to the trade deadline will not include making a sacrifice their fans would hate.
The Boston Celtics have moved into second in the Eastern Conference standings. Even without Jayson Tatum, they have established that they can contend in the wide-open East this season.
They are tied for the second-most wins across the Association against opponents with a .500 record or better. And they might even get Tatum back during the current campaign. Even if it takes until next season for him to return to All-NBA First Team form, if he's anywhere close to the caliber of player he was before tearing his Achilles, it will be hard for another franchise to make a more meaningful addition before the trade deadline passes.