Chris Forsberg and Eddie House discuss Brian Robb’s new revelations on the Celtics’ approach to the trade deadline, as well as the current roster situation.
Multiple league sources told Brian Robb of MassLive that the Boston Celtics are anticipated to make a transaction before the trade deadline on February 8.
The reported revelation of Boston’s readiness to be aggressive in the trade market followed Sunday’s decision to guarantee the contracts of four Celtics — Luke Kornet, Dalano Banton, Lamar Stevens, and Svi Mykhailiuk.
While Kornet’s promise is unsurprising given his significant rotation minutes this season, the Celtics usually deploy Banton, Stevens, and Mykhailiuk when the team is shorthanded or in the midst of a blowout. Kornet, who has been used sparingly this season by Boston coach Joe Mazzulla, is averaging 14.2 minutes per game with 5.1 points and 3.7 rebounds.
Retaining the four non-guaranteed contracts increases the Celtics’ luxury tax cost, demonstrating to fans that they are willing to spend money to win.
A source also informed Robb that the Celtics’ willingness to guarantee the four contracts does not guarantee that those four players will remain in Boston this season. The four contracts provide the Celtics with flexibility in negotiations and salary matching, allowing Boston to package multiple league minimum contract players with another rostered player for a more expensive player, thanks to the $6.2 million trade exception left over from Grant Williams’ signing and trade to the Dallas Mavericks.
Last week, Celtics head of basketball operations Brad Stevens discussed hypothetical trade speculations, stating that he’d like to bring in a “big wing” to help them go forward.
“There’s not a lot we can do big without touching our main guys,” Stevens said of any potential deals, implying that the core is untouchable. “I don’t know if it will be a game-changer.”
The Celtics, who currently lead the league with a 28-7 record, will not hurry into any moves. The roster they have works as is, so there’s no reason to force a move only to make one. NBA experts Zach Lowe and Tim Bontemps of ESPN cited wings John Konchar of the Memphis Grizzlies and Cedi Osman of the San Antonio Spurs as viable trade possibilities who fall within or are extremely close to Williams’ TPE.
Konchar is in his sixth season and has averaged 4.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 17.1 minutes per game over his career. The 6-foot-5 wing may not see much action in Memphis, but his ability to stay ready and consistent despite his limited minutes could be enticing to Boston. The Celtics’ main rotation is most likely set, therefore any additional players would be employed on a situational basis. Konchar would provide Boston with a large wing who has a career 3-point shooting percentage of 36.7 percent.
Osman is already in his seventh season and has more experience than Konchar. The 28-year-old spent the first six years of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played under LeBron James during his rookie season. With the Spurs at 5-30, San Antonio may part ways with Osman, who has averaged 9.6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while connecting on 42.9 percent of his field goal attempts and 32.4 percent from deep.
