The Celtics are trading Josh Minott to the Nets, Shams Charania reports for ESPN (Twitter link). According to Erik Slater of ClutchPoints (Twitter link), no additional players or draft picks are involved in the deal.
Boston signed Minott last summer to a two-year, minimum-salary deal that includes a second-year team option. The athletic 6’8″ wing appeared in 33 games for the Celtics this season, including 10 starts, and averaged 5.8 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 44.2% from three.
While Minott played reasonably well in Boston, he has been out of the rotation since before Christmas, and moving off his contract will help the Celtics reduce their luxury tax bill or perhaps even get out of the tax entirely, though at least one more move would be necessary to accomplish that.
Keith Smith of Spotrac (via Twitter) points to Xavier Tillman Sr. as a name to keep an eye on if the Celtics are aiming to duck the tax.
As for the Nets, they’ll use their cap room to absorb Minott’s contract. It’s unclear whether they like him and will make him part of their plans going forward or if they’re being incentivized with cash to take on his remaining salary.
I’m surprised actually
Anyone want Boucher? We’ll take the Jackie Moon approach. A washing machine will be fine. Upgrade Williams.
My bad, just woke up and look what’s come to fruition. Go Celtics.
Gotta trust Big Brad
I do. Joe and the entire coaching staff do a fantastic job at getting best out of unwanted guys and developing younger guys.
The ball club is in good hands.
This makes zero sense to me.
Is it legal to trade someone for nothing?
Celtics will have to get something. The return in these sorts of deals sometimes takes a while to be reported, since it’ll be something very minor (cash, draft-rights player, etc.).
No, but the asset could effectively be that. I think the Nets already used the “1-55 protected” pick for this year, so it could be for a future. It could also be one of their remaining stashes since they already gave up Marinkovic today. The final low asset option is $110K cash, I believe.