The Celtics are making a deal
UPDATE:
Would not have been able to tell you who Xavier Tillman was until this trade happened. Here’s what I can tell you now; Brad is not done. This trade swapped salaries with Lamar Stevens. The TPE is still available and the Celtics still have a roster spot.
Tillman looks to be Al Horford insurance and backup. He will be a defensive stalwart and provide very little form an offensive perspective. Which is fine. He needs to help spell minutes from Horford and Porzingus. Big man depth was a need from the beginning of the season. Based on the experts opinion of the 25 year old Tillman, the Celtics landed a solid role player at a position of need. Let see what else Brad has up his sleeve.
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The Boston Celtics are rumored to be in on every single player available and their mother. Check these are the reports just in the past 24 hours:
- On Tuesday night, Yahoo! Sports reporter Jake Fischer reported that the Boston Celtics are trying to bolster their bench at Thursday’s trade deadline. The two targets that Boston is eyeing are veteran Otto Porter Jr. and Nets guard Lonnie Walker.
- The Athletic's Tony Jones reported Wednesday that Fontecchio "has emerged as a serious trade target for two contending teams, according to multiple league sources: the Phoenix Suns and the Boston Celtics.
- Saddiq Bey would be a dream get, but Boston might get decent mileage out of Reggie Bullock, Otto Porter Jr. or John Konchar.
- According to Masslive’s Brian Robb, the Celtics have ‘kicked the tires’ on potential trades for veteran guard Kris Dunn and for 28-year-old forward Simone Fontecchio. Both players have contracts that would fit inside the $6.2 million Grant Williams TPE.
- Per Scotto: “Boston has expressed interest in a wide range of trade targets, including Kelly Olynyk, Delon Wright, Andre Drummond, and others, league sources told HoopsHype.”
For those counting at home that lists includes:
Otto Porter
Lonnie Walker
Simone Fontecchio
Saddiq Bey
Reggie Bullock
John Konchar
Andre Drummond
Kris Dunn
Kelly Olynyk
Delon Wright
Jesus, Brad. Do you have any standards?
Brad Stevens is on record when asked if they are looking to make a move at the dead line as saying If you’re not looking to add, you’re not looking to get better. I think it’s a safe bet to say the C’s will bolster their squad for the stretch run in at least one key area. Maybe two. Wing and Big.
So, while Brad Stevens said after Thursday's practice at the Auerbach Center that he has the "green light" from ownership to add to their payroll, including utilizing the $6.2 million Grant Williams traded player exception (TPE), he also pointed out the restrictions Boston must work within while exploring how it can upgrade its roster. SOURCE
Here’s what I’m not doing. I’m not touching your current roster 1- 12. This team is so mentally fragile, I don’t think they could handle a Luke Kornet trade. They have the best record in the league. Frankly adding at the deadline should be more of a motivating tactic from management than an on the court difference maker. The Celtics will win a championship if they don’t put themselves in too many close and late situations to choke it away. But, I digress.
Under that rule here are your untouchables:
Tatum
Brown
White
Porzingus
Holiday
Horford
Pritchard
Hauser
Kornet
Brissett
Stevens
Queta
I will give this team credit for enough mental toughness to deal with the losses of Svi Myhailiuk and Dalano Banton. Neemis Queta is where I draw the line.
So, that puts them in a tight window to make a deal. You are basically looking at the $6.25 million TPE from the Grant Williams trade. Players that fit in that construct are:
Otto Porter
Porter carries a $6.3 million salary which somehow fits in the $6.25 TPE because the NBA salary cap is ridiculous. He won the 2022 NBA Finals with the Warriors as a solid playoff performer. Porter shoots a career 39.7% 3-point shooter, which is a requirement for Mazzula Ball. He has also been injured for about a year and played very little basketball. He may be a candidate for the buy out market if the Celtics can hold their water.
Simone Fontecchio
Fontecchio has a$3.1 million salary. He has career high averages in 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, while also shooting 39.1 percent from 3-point range and 45 percent from the field. He is 6’8” 209 lbs. In this NBA he qualifies as a big and again meets the Mazzula ball requirements. He's a restricted free agent this summer so you have control over his future if he works out.
Andre Drummond
Salary: $3.36 million. He averages 15.8 minutes per game with 7.7 points and 8.3 rebounds. Drummond feels like a buy out market candidate, but if it means limiting Horford minutes and Luke Kornet finds the pine? I’m in.
Saddiq Bey
$4.6 Million. 6’7” massive wing. Terrific defender and all around impact player. He’s averaging 13pts, 6.5 rebs, 1.4 asst, and 1 block this year. Bey is the time of talent that will probably require a 1st round pick and he’s worth it. He is the type of player than can explode off the bench when Tatum and Brown decide not to show up. He is the all in type of player the Celtics should target.
Basically the rest of the list above fits in the TPE minus Kelly Olynyk, and pass anyway. The reality is whoever they add is going to be a limited addition. As mentioned Saddiq Bey is probably the only “impact” player on this list and if he’s available the cost will be steep and a lot of competition. The goal should be a competent wing to spell Tatum and Brown. Love me some Sammy Buckets, but that pasty sniper is limited. Find your wing depth and look for a Big in the buy out market. Porzingus and Horford are to fragile to rely on big minutes. Kornet and Queta, well.. I’m just saying.
