The Celtics are exploring ways to improve their roster, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, who suggests that a sign-and-trade of forward Grant Williams or a trade involving one or more of the team’s guards are among the options in play. Brian Robb of MassLive.com published a similar report, suggesting that a source told him Boston has been one of the most active teams on the trade market.
According to Robb, the Celtics are looking into whether they’ll be able to move a player from their crowded backcourt in order to balance their roster and upgrade at another position. Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon, and Payton Pritchard are all under contract for next season.
While Pritchard is the most logical trade candidate, given that he sought a change of scenery during the 2022/23 season and wasn’t part of the Celtics’ playoff rotation, it might make more sense for Boston to move one of its higher-paid guards, Robb writes. That would allow the Celtics to bring back a bigger salary in a trade or would help create flexibility to re-sign Williams.
Interestingly, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic says (via Twitter) that the Celtics are among the teams to inquire about Isaiah Stewart. However, Edwards doesn’t expect the Pistons to move Stewart, who will be extension-eligible this offseason.
Here are a few more rumors from around the Atlantic, including another one that involves the Pistons:
- Following the Pistons‘ hiring of Monty Williams, Nets restricted free agent forward Cameron Johnson – who played for Williams in Phoenix – is rising on Detroit’s list of free agent targets, according to Marc Stein at Substack. But Brooklyn is “quietly expressing confidence” about its ability to retain Johnson, says Stein, which suggests the team either knows what it will take to re-sign him or fully intends to match any offer he receives as a restricted free agent.
- If the Nets commit to a lucrative new deal for Johnson, will they have to cut costs elsewhere? Stein notes that forward Dorian Finney-Smith is still viewed as a “prime trade candidate,” while Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer hears from sources that Brooklyn has received calls about both Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale.
- Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports shares a few Sixers-related tidbits in his latest round-up of rumors from around the NBA, writing that the team appears to prefer another short-term deal with free-agent-to-be James Harden and citing sources who say Philadelphia is “actively seeking” opportunities to trade into the second round of next week’s draft. The 76ers don’t currently own a 2023 draft pick.
Great idea
Sign Harden one-year deal
Then use over-38 rule to to sign him another contract next summer.
What is the over-38 rule? It’s a provision in the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement that limits teams from offering contracts lasting four or more years to any player who is at least 38 years old or will turn 38 during the contract.
If Harden is injured next year, ….
Ayton and Wainwright for Brodgon, Danilo, Pritchard and Kornet and a pick. Sign Paul if waived or Beverley or another PG as a free agent.
I like it when the guys who say the NBA is fixed come up with trade ideas.
It’s adorable.
I don’t watch it anymore because it’s obvious. I only like trades and the draft
I’m with you on the NBA and their ridiculous corrupt officials that blatantly fix games, Scott Foster being the grand puba of them all. Created by Steen, and willed over to Silver to give the refs “assignments”, which is why he had spoken to Tim Donaghy every day during the season, but not in the offseason.
So is wrestling but some people like it. What’s your point
Resign Williams too
I doubt BKN will be in cost-cutting mode over Johnson. They were able to massively cut their projected future payrolls in the Harden, KI and Durant trades. Even if they pay Johnson 20 mm a year, and fully guarantee Dinwiddie, they’re in significantly better shape financially.
The only thing is resigning Johnson would put them in the Luxury Tax which they don’t want to be in. Make sense to free up money they have lots of wings anyway where trading a DFS or O’Neal won’t hurt.
A $20MM cap hit in 2023/24 for Johnson would push them over the tax line, and I believe they’d be subject to a repeater penalty next season. Would be surprised if they’re willing to stay in the tax with the current roster.
I’d be surprised if BKN makes any move affecting the top of their roster based principally on the luxury tax.
If they sign Johnson, they should move DFS or O’Neal due to their excess of wings and the likely demand for those guys. But I don’t see salary dumps. They’ll get real players at other spots (PG, PF, maybe C) in exchange.
No team wants to pay the tax, particularly at repeater levels, and if they’re close, I’m sure they’ll make moves to get under like any team would. But there is no appetite in that organization for a rebuild. Let’s put it this way, Marks won’t be fired for spending too much of Joe Tsai’s money. He will be if BKN reverts to back to pre-Durant levels. He knows both.
Great idea
Sign and trade Grant Williams and hope Celtics can get a first round pick
Lakers can sign and trade all the young free agents too
Adding a 2nd pick makes sense for the sixers. It shouldn’t cost much to net a pick. Also Flip Petrusev said he is ready to come over to the nba(2021 2nd rd pick)
2nd Round picks are expensive these days loll this isn’t the 90s
Lol
Petrusev aint good.
I’d like to see Kyle Kuzma in Celtics
Grant Williams for John Collins?
Atlanta desperately want to move on from Collins. Grant doesn’t put up the same numbers as Collins but he would be a good fit.
Grant is a better shooter, much better defender and is a low usage guy. He’s ideal to play off ball with a big defensive minded centre like Capela.
Whereas it appears Boston doesn’t want to pay Grant and have had interest in John Collins in the past. John had a down year but he’s a decent floor spacer at the 4, obviously finishes well at the rim, and rebound much better than Williams. At times you can play him as a small ball 5.
I think Boston most likely moves Jaylen Brown for a better ball handler and scorer, then Tatum moves back to SF and Collins would fill the 4 spot perfectly.
Something like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White for Bradley Beal, Corey Kispert, Isiah Todd and a future first
Boston would be much better offensively while still being alright defensively. I also like the young and cheap depth in guys like Pritchard Kispert and Todd. Washington would look good too White Brown Kuzma KP …
Atl would look good on paper, Trae Murray Hunter Williams Capela and on the bench Bogdan Bey Johnson, need to add a back up PG and I’m personally not sold on Okungwu so I’d get a back up centre too