As the Celtics work this offseason to move below the restrictive second tax apron, there has been some speculation about the possibility that the team would be willing to trade stars Jaylen Brown and/or Derrick White as part of its roster overhaul.
While most reporting on the subject has indicated that Boston has no desire to move either player and is simply listening in case a potential trade partner makes a massive offer, Celtics vice president of basketball operations Mike Zarren believes even those reports have overstated the team’s interest in making a deal involving Brown or White.
“Those two guys are really, really great NBA players, and there hasn’t been anything close to serious about trading them,” Zarren said, per Souichi Terada of MassLive. “I’m not sure where all this reporting came from but those guys are key parts of our team, and we’re lucky to have them here.”
Zarren’s comments may not entirely shut down speculation about Brown and White, but if the Celtics were going to move one of them this offseason, it likely would’ve happened before or during the first round of the draft, when lottery picks could have been in play.
Having agreed to separate deals involving Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, Boston no longer faces the same level of urgency to continue shedding salary, though role players like Sam Hauser and newly acquired Anfernee Simons continue to be mentioned as possible trade candidates.
The Raptors were one of the teams that inquired about White, Zach Lowe of The Ringer confirmed on Thursday in an episode of his podcast (hat tip to Brian Robb of MassLive).
“There were reports that the Raptors offered the No. 9 pick for Derrick White,” Lowe said. “I’m told that’s true but that it happened a month and a half ago after Jayson Tatum got hurt, and Boston laughed at that offer and said, ‘We need way more than No. 9 for Derrick White.'”
Maybe they can upgrade to a Tommy Gold or a Chester Blue
Maybe Aristotle can continue to run the show in Boston. I mean he was trading Jaylen for 4 or 5 guys currently on rookie scale contracts who will undoubtedly have a much larger cap hit than one guy when they actually get paid…..not one of them will be a finsls mvp or perennial all star but hey, the mans never wrong. Got a real good hat rack on those shoulders that guy.
The guy always speaks from his behind. Also he is an expert on not just the Warriors but of every team.
Had Boston knew Malauch was available at 9, would they have done the trade with the Raptors? They do need a C with Porzingis sent to ATL and Horfords uncertainty and no Korner is not a starter even for a gap year.
White for Malauch? Are you joking?
Boston aint winning anything this year, might as well fill your roster for when Tatum returns with pieces that wont hurt you financially and pieces that youd may want to have.
Seeing Malauch went 10 and there was talk of a deal for number 9 with the Raptors, as well as having a need for a C, I just thought this could have been something considered.
I dont follow College hoops so I havent seen how good Malauch is and only threw this thought out again because of Bostons need to shed salary on a likely gap year.
Bane was traded for 4 first round picks and a pick swap, Bridges for 5 first round picks. I think White could probably get you a tad more than Malauch.
Over 7ft and agile Luke Kornet can definitely be a starter for the Celtics! But he’s super valuable off the bench too. Everyone who doesn’t follow the Celtics closely or watch Celtics games undervalues Luke. But Celts do need another center or use Neemias. Maybe Coach will finally give Neemias Queta a chance. I believe he gets down the floor quickly, like Luke, and if we speed up our style just a bit, Mr. Queta, who we know is a big rebounder, can control the boards (needed without our leader rebounder Jason Tatum). Get well Jason!
Hopefully rumors about trading any more of our Celtics are now put to bed! Thus let’s concentrate on our three draft picks, all from other countries. This is the Celtics season and opportunity for finding some additional under the radar players while the pressure is off the team. No one, ha!, is expecting anything from us, this year without our superstar Jayson Tatum so bring them all and let’s see if Brad Stevens wins … again.
Only reason to trade Brown is if Giannis is coming to town.
Ujiri desperate move …