The Celtics hit the road in the week before the trade deadline but big decisions loom for the front office before Feb. 6. Let’s take a closer look at who could be on the move for Boston, trade candidates to keep an eye on and much more. If you have any questions for a future mailbag, email brobb@masslive.com.
What % do you put on the Celtics making a move before the trade deadline? — McVitello
I’m going with 95 percent. The obvious one is moving Jaden Springer for luxury tax savings although the case could be made now that he is one of more reliable bench wings at the end of the bench. That’s true to this point but not sure if he’s worth the tax penalties to hold onto if better alternatives can be had at cheap costs.
Beyond Springer, I would be a bit stunned if the Celtics can stay put elsewhere. Brad Stevens still added to the roster last year when this group was humming and healthy and they haven’t been that for the past two months. The team could use some more reliable contributors to take some onus off the rotation in the regular season, particularly on nights when they are shorthanded. Whether it’s upgrading Springer/Jordan Walsh/Baylor Scheierman on the wing or Xavier Tillman in the frontcourt, would be a bit stunned if no moves are made to address either of those areas. Perhaps the team will look to the buyout market for upgrades but they will still need to open up a roster spot to do so since it’s likely they won’t fill that final spot until later in the year for the tax savings.
As great as Pritchard has been this year – last year his mins shrunk as the playoffs went along. What do you think his playoff role will be this year? — Joel Video
Pritchard’s size at 6-foot-1 is always going to be become more of a defensive target for elite teams as the playoffs continue on. However, I think he’s reached the point offensively right now where he’s going to get a chance to play bigger minutes since the pros of his impact will outweigh the cons in most matchups. Sam Hauser hasn’t been playing at the same level as last year so Pritchard is the most reliable bench piece at this point and an uptick in his 18.7 minutes per game would be warranted. Given that he’s earned crunch time minutes over Jrue Holiday in a few games this year, it wouldn’t stun me if he gets that chance in a game or two this year if his 3-point shooting gets rolling. He’s never going to play starter minutes in the playoffs with this team but he’s certainly earned 20-plus minutes a night.
Jaden Springer playing a lot lately: necessity due to players being out, earned through his performance behind closed doors, or trying to up his value for tradebait purposes? -Skarma
I think it’s mostly column A. The Celtics have been down bodies off and on for the past month and Joe Mazzulla has been searching for a bench wing that can give him something. Jordan Walsh’s shot has not come around and he’s not quick enough to handle smaller wings and guards. Baylor Scheierman still can’t hit a shot consistently yet at the NBA level despite his G-League strides. With Boston’s backcourt getting torched against the Clippers, Jaden Springer was the logical option for Mazzulla to give a shot to and he delivered on that end while hitting enough wide open 3s to keep Boston’s offense respectable.
It took Mazzulla couple games to go back to him in the rotation but he’s clearly the best choice right now over the alternatives with Hauser sidelined. There is certainly a side benefit of him raising his stock on the trade market here (I think that’s ultimately still where he is headed) but he’s honestly the best option for this team right now behind Hauser on the wing depth chart. Not sure he can do enough in the next week to avoid an exit (for the tax savings) but it’s at least worth a conversation now.
Where do the Celtics not want Jimmy Butler to go? — Joe P
Any fringe contender. Don’t think any team in the East is a realistic option at this point outside of the Bucks perhaps if they can find someone to take Khris Middleton. With that said, Milwaukee wouldn’t extend Butler so it’s hard to see him being a happy camper there.
The Thunder would be the scariest spot but Sam Presti isn’t going to rock the boat like that with that emerging group while already having an MVP candidate in place. Memphis would be a fascinating wildcard but it sounds like he’s out on them according to multiple reports. Beyond that, there really isn’t anywhere that should scare the Celtics among the possible candidates.
Attainable player list needed. Toumani Camara, Duop Reath, Keon Ellis, N.A.W.
I’ll have a more comprehensive list in the coming week coming on MassLive but these are all names on the list that at least fit the salary parameters. Reath is certainly the most attainable as a fourth-string center on that roster but he’s not better than Kornet or Queta so not sure why Celtics would target him.
Ellis and Alexander-Walker I don’t see as realistic at this point. The Wolves want to win now and Alexander-Walker is too important to that rotation, particularly for a team that needs shooting. The Kings are shipping De’Aaron Fox so not sure why they would be in the market for moving another cheap piece.
Camara would be an ideal fit positionally and with his contract (cheap and under control through the next two seasons). However, the Blazers have no incentive to move him for those reasons since he certainly fits their timeline at age 24. So if the Celtics want him, they are going to have to overpay. A late first-round pick this year may not get the job done. Would Stevens be willing to sweeten the pot even more for a guy that may not be able to break into the rotation when healthy? I think it would be worth the cost given the injury woes this team’s faced but not emptying the asset cupboard for the future is worth considering for a team that will be dealing with second apron limitations for awhile.
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