The Boston Celtics had plans of reaching the NBA Finals for a second straight season last year, but the eighth-seeded Miami Heat threw a wrench into those plans. The Heat took a 3-0 lead in the series and then whitewashed the Celtics by 19 in Game 7 at TD Garden.
So, Boston got better in the offseason. The Celtics traded for Kristaps Porzingis and extended him for $60 million over two years. Then, in response to the Milwaukee Bucks getting Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers, the Celtics countered that move with their deal with the Blazers, bringing in Jrue Holiday. They also re-signed Jaylen Brown to a max extension.
As a result of the trade, Boston has the top starting lineup and arguably the best six-man rotation in the league. The Celtics also own the NBA’s best record at 28-10. The Celtics lead the league in scoring differential (+10.6) and rank second in offensive and defensive efficiency. Additionally, the C’s have gone through one losing streak this streak (two games, Nov. 6 and 8).
However, all the wheeling and dealing has left the Celtics a little thin up front. Additionally, it left the C’s over the league’s second tax apron. Therefore, Boston can’t take on more salary than they send out.
So, will Boston Make a move before the Feb.8 trade deadline?
Boston Celtics Rumors: Brad Stevens Believes C’s Trade Options Are Limited, Though He Said Another Big Man Is On Wish List
Celtics’ president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, spoke on that specific topic with reporters recently. While speaking with reporters, including Jay King of The Athletic, Stevens indicated that it may be tough to make a trade with the Celtics, who only have six players making north of $6 million. Those six players are the Celtics’ key rotational guys.
“There’s really not a ton we can do big without touching our main guys, right?” Stevens said.
Stevens pointed out that the Celtics have a $6.2 million trade exception, which will help them facilitate any trade. Sevens added that he has the green light from ownership to spend whatever is necessary,
“The difference in this year and maybe other years is our tools are pretty limited from a dollars standpoint… t’s a small number of people (who would fit into that exception). A lot of the people that are in that (salary tier) were signed to minimums or smaller contracts, or are on their rookie scale deals that teams aren’t exactly excited to move on from yet. So it’s a very small group of people, but we’re going to exhaust it, we’re going to look at it.”
So, what type of player is Stevens looking for?
Stevens told the reporters he would like to “see how we can find another big wing or so that can help us.” If the Celtics decide to go this way, the C’s would probably prefer someone who can score or shoot particularly well from deep.
“And I think that could be from within,” Stevens said, “and I also think that we’ll continue to monitor free agency and trades.”
Sam Hauser, a 6-9 combo forward, is currently the only wing who comes off the bench and gets regular minutes.
As Stevens indicated, the Celtics have some internal options to fill the role of a big wing. He also suggested that with 16 games between today and the all-star break, each of those players could be given significant opportunities to prove themselves.
Internal Wing Options
The Celtics have four players who can ultimately fill the big wing role that Stevens wants. Oshae Brissett, Lamar Stevens, Dalano Banton, and Svi Mykhailiuk.
Brissett is probably the ideal internal candidate, and the 6-7 forward has gotten the most opportunities of the four players. He is long, athletic, and can defend while scoring in transition and beyond the arc. The 25-year-old is also a good rebounder who is capable of not hurting teams with turnovers.
Brissett has averaged 12.2 minutes a game in 19 appearances, with 11 coming since December 1. In those 11 games, Brissett has upped his production to 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting .571/.500/.750. He has played some of his best basketball over the last four contests, totaling 20 points, 24 boards, four steals, and one block in 73 minutes of action.
Stevens also is a good fit for the Celtics. Like Brissett, Stevens is very experienced, athletic, versatile, and can defend and knock down an occasional 3-pointer. However, he is at his best around the basket. Stevens averages just 5.5 minutes of playing time in 13 games, though he shoots 53.5 % from the field.
Banton is 6-foot-9 but is more of a point guard, though he can play all three backcourt positions. He is a good defender, though he does lose focus on occasion. He is not much of a scorer or shooter, although he has shown some improvement in the latter this year.
Mykhailiuk possesses the most experience of the four and is the only “true” shooter of the bunch. However, the 26-year-old wing is also the worst defender of the bunch. He has struggled shooting the ball this year, making 25.6% of his field goals and 18.8% of his 3-pointers.
Stevens, Banton and Mykhailiuk’s 2023-24 contracts all became fully guaranteed today. Luke Kornet’s $2.4 million deal also was guaranteed.
“We just have to be on the lookout for how we can fortify (the team) and how we can make it better,” Stevens said. “And again, I don’t want to say that person is not in the building because they might be right now. I’ve been very encouraged when our bench has gotten in games … how they’ve helped us. I’m excited to see, you know, as we go through this stretch, it’s five games in eight days, and this January is a tough travel schedule for our guys. There’s going to be more opportunities for those guys, and that will be helpful as we head into February.”
While adding a wing is apparently Stevens’ top priority, he didn’t rule out adding another big man though he seemed pleased with the current frontcourt situation.
“Well, first of all, adding a rotation center, that would have to be one hell of a player, right, when you think about (how) we’ve got really good players.”
Who Are The Celtics Possibly Targeting?
The one name that has come up the most is Utah Jazz Kelly Olynyk, a former Celtic first-round draft pick. Olynyk would fit nicely with the Celtics. But he is making $12.8 million this year.
Boston would have to send out three players, their $6.2 million trade exception, and draft picks to make the salaries match.
Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer mentioned the Toronto reserve big man Chris Boucher is another guy who may be suitable for the Celtics. But the purchase price would likely be similar to the one for Olynyk.
Jonathan Kuminga, Alec Burks, and Delon Wright have also recently been mentioned as possible trade targets. A few cheaper names that have been floated around, which make sense, include Saddiq Bey, Simone Fontecchio, and Torrey Craig.