With the NBA Trade Deadline just a few days away, the Boston Celtics are a team popping up in a few rumors. Per HoopsHype, the Celtics have their eyes on “a wide range of trade targets“:
The Celtics are looking to package some of their minimum contract players at the end of the rotation and draft pick compensation to bolster their bench heading into the playoffs, league sources told HoopsHype. Boston has expressed interest in a wide range of trade targets, including Kelly Olynyk, Delon Wright, Andre Drummond, and others, league sources told HoopsHype.
The 38-12 Celtics currently own the best record in the NBA. Additionally, Boston has a five-game lead over the No. 2 seed Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference. Adding any of the three aforementioned veterans could provide a boost for the Celtics.
The Boston Celtics are showing interest in Kelly Olynyk, Delon Wright and Andre Drummond, per @MikeAScotto
(Via https://t.co/p5W9jDaNnU) pic.twitter.com/EH7MXzViJE
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 5, 2024
Earlier this year, Celtics GM Brad Stevens said he wanted to acquire “a big wing.” However, Stevens also acknowledged this could be found in-house and the team’s resources are very limited in the trade market:
“I would like to continue to see how we can find another big wing or so that can help us, and I think that can be from within,” Stevens said. “I also think we’ll continue to monitor free agency and trades, but again, the difference in this year and maybe other years is that our tools are pretty limited from a dollars standpoint.”
Recently, the Celtics were reportedly interested in the Houston Rockets’ Jae’Sean Tate, although nothing has been reported since.
The NBA Trade Deadline is this Thursday, February 8.
NBA Rumors: Celtics Interested in “Wide Range of Trade Targets”
Kelly Olynyk
Olynyk spent the first few seasons of his NBA career with the Celtics. From 2013 to 2017, Olynyk averaged 9.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 47.7% from the field in Boston. This season with the Utah Jazz, Olynyk is averaging 8.1 points and 5.1 rebounds on 56 FG%.
Currently, it seems likely the Jazz will move on from the Canadian big man this week. The Celtics could benefit from someone like Olynyk who can take some pressure off Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford in the frontcourt. Olynyk, like Wright and Drummond, is in the last year of his contract. This season, he is making $12.2 million. Depending on how much they have to give up, a reunion with Olynyk might make sense for the Celtics.
Delon Wright
Wright is a decent backup point guard with NBA experience. Additionally, Wright is an efficient scorer, shooting a career 45.2% from the field. Per HoopsHype, the asking price for Wright is not very expensive:
Delon Wright has drawn trade interest from the Celtics, Kings, and Timberwolves, league sources told HoopsHype. The Nuggets were also mentioned recently by Marc Stein. Wright is expected to command second-round draft pick compensation in trade talks, league sources told HoopsHype.
The Washington Wizards guard is averaging 4.4 points and 2.8 assists over 15.2 minutes per game this season.
Making around $8.2 million this season, Wright is a reasonable trade candidate for the Celtics.
Andre Drummond
The two-time All-Star has appeared in trade rumors often this season. With a need for another backup big man, Drummond is an obvious fit for the Celtics. Additionally, making $3.36 million this year, Drummond has the cheapest contract of the three trade candidates.
This season, Drummond is averaging 7.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game for the Chicago Bulls.
Though his role has been minor with the Bulls, the UCONN alum is only 30 years old and could greatly benefit in the Celtics’ system.
The Last Word on the Latest NBA Rumors
With how good they have been so far this season, the Celtics do not need to make a trade. However, any of these three veterans could help sure up Boston’s second unit.
