Celtics Mailbag: Warriors trade targets, Gordon Hayward reunion?

The Celtics finished off their toughest stretch of the season with a 3-2 record and have arrived back in Boston for their first matchup against Ime Udoka. Let’s jump into some questions about the team in this week’s mailbag as they remain safely ahead of the Bucks atop the East despite an ugly blowout Thursday night. If you have questions about the Celtics or NBA, free agency or more email brobb@masslive.com or tweet @briantrobb

Do you see Terence Davis as being a good fit for the Celtics?

I don’t think he will be the type of guy they add at this point. He’s been in the G-League all year now so the fact that no team has taken a flier on him is telling despite some solid offensive numbers early in his career. He’s an offensive first guy and that’s not the type of player they should be looking to add to round out the bench at this point.

If Gordon Hayward can get a buyout with Charlotte do you reckon he could come back? He’ll probably end up in Indiana to finish his career but he still loves Brad. Cheers, Joel

Would certainly make for quite the story but won’t be happening. Hayward makes a ton of money (over $30 million a year) and if he wants one more big deal in his career, he’s not going to give up his Bird Rights and take a buyout. Plus, the Hornets could probably get something useful for him on the trade market by making him available. He may be ring chasing somewhere in free agency next year but he’ll get a lot more money than what Boston can offer (the veteran’s minimum) elsewhere. Even if he does get a buyout, Boston doesn’t have the ability to sign him per CBA rules this season since he would have been making more than the mid-level exception.

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With Shams reporting that Kuminga is unhappy in GS, it seems like the possibility for them to move him just opened up. While I’d love to see him in Green, I’m not sure he’d be a great fit culturally behind the Jays if he wants to play more even if he’d fit in the Grant TPE. That said, it seems to me that the team who should really be in on him is Philly, who could offer up some somewhat useful vets (House/Martin) and picks to try to put together something that looks like the D. White trade package the Celtics made with the Spurs. Seems like he’d be the perfect fit for them both short and long term and would get plenty of opportunities as their lead wing. Do you agree? Also, how close would this make the Sixers in your estimation to putting a real challenge to Boston this year (still think the celtics would be favored but would be at least interesting if he took off with more minutes/opportunity)? Thanks, Matt D.

Kuminga is certainly a name to watch given the turmoil with the Warriors but like you said, I don’t buy him for Boston. If he wants a bigger role than he’s getting there, it’s certainly not happening here as a bench player. The 76ers would be an intriguing bet for them but he’s making money next year $7.6 million so that would eat into their potential max cap room that they are reportedly planning for. If the 76ers do make a run at him regardless, I don’t think he turns the Sixers into a much scarier team. A lack of a reliable jump shot this season has really limited his ceiling.

Hi Brian,

Why haven’t the C’s developed Tatum into a low post scorer similar to Karl Malone. His body type is very similar, big and powerful! Granted we don’t have anything close to a Stockton for him to P&R with but I think he’d be very good in similar plays. He’s become a much better passer and when the 5′s defender moves over to help he can dish to one of our bigs or a Brown/other slashing through or kick out for a 3 attempt. Of which, why do they continue to be so dependent on the 3 ball and iso plays??? I know the game has changed but classic fundamental ball still is possible. Give Tatum and Brown one whole side of the court to play with. Only good things can happen.

Also in the OKC game, only Tatum was able to shut SGA down in the 4th. But prior to that he had 4 fouls early in the 3rd Q. Why didn’t we go at him? Makes no sense. Thanks, Peter V

It’s hard to argue with the numbers Tatum is putting up right now outside of Thursday’s dud. Working in more pick-and-roll is always a potential option down the line but it’s hard to argue with the Celtics mentality with him given the way this offense has been humming all year. The SGA situation I feel like was him playing smart while the Celtics attempted to go at him. Maybe Boston didn’t do it enough or creatively but they took their shots but SGA held strong.

Why did Queta’s playing time drop to nothing after the West Coast swing. He seemed to play well on the trip, rim protection and a few put backs. Maybe his +/- looks bad? —Matt

I think Joe Mazzulla trusts Luke Kornet more defensively at this point. He has more familiarity with the system and is a better passer as well. Queta did well when he got his chances but Kornet’s been terrific within his role so far this year. Queta has done well as a two-way player but not enough to overtake Kornet in the depth chart.

Shams is reporting that The Golden State Warriors are “open for business”. If true could we see Dario Saric in Boston (as he certainly fits in the trade exception)? —Adam A

Saric would be a great extra big option to have as a floor spacer. The problem is the Warriors don’t really have any incentive to move him at this point. They will be trying to win this year no matter what and he’s been a cheap and productive option for them. That means Boston would need to overpay to acquire him with a draft pick and I don’t see them going that route. The hope perhaps for the long term is that Boston can attract cheap proven talent like Saric who are chasing a ring in future offseasons. For now, don’t expect a guy like him to become available to Boston at a reasonable price.