The Boston Celtics have been the biggest surprise in the Eastern Conference. As a result, the Celtics are likely to be buyers rather than sellers, as originally believed at the start of the season, NBA Insider Zach Lowe believes. What do the Celtics need, and who are their targets?
“All the rumblings around the league are that Boston is now going to buy,” Lowe said recently on his podcast. “I don’t know how that works. I don’t know if they can buy and cut their tax bill at the same time. The obvious place for them to buy would be up front, where they could use another forward. But this team is clearly really good.”
Eastern Conference Team Surprisingly Expected To Be Aggressive At Trade Deadline
Boston owns the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 27-16. The Celtics, who have won 19 of their last 27, also own the third-best scoring margin at +7.0. The C’s sit 5.5 games behind conference-leading Detroit Pistons. They are also one and one-half games clear of the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors, who are third and fourth in the conference.
The Celtics are definitely contenders in the Eastern Conference despite being without star Jayson Tatum. However, Tatum could reportedly be back on the floor before the end of the regular season. He is said to be shooting to be back on the floor by the end of next month or March.
According to Jay King of The Athletic. Tatum worked out for about an hour in Detroit on Monday morning, as the Celtics were in town to face the Pistons.
” [Tatum] flashed his typical outside touch and showcased the physical progress he has made over the eight months since rupturing his Achilles last spring,” King said. “Tatum did shooting drills simulating coming off screens. He worked on his pull-up jump shots. He drove through contact from Dobbins, who was playing the role of defender. Tatum rose for a few dunks during the workout as well.”
How Has The Celtics Turned A “Throwaway” season into a real possibility?
Boston has been fantastic on offense. The Celtics are one of the best shooting teams in the league, though they shoot a high volume of threes. The Celtics make 15.6 treys on 42.4 attempts, both second-most in the league behind only Golden State, and rank eighth at 36.8%. Nearly 50% of their 90 shot attempts come from beyond the arc. They are also deep and don’t turn the ball over.
Coach Joe Mazzulla uses 11 players regularly, with nine averaging double figures. Jaylen Brown is having a career season and averages nearly 30 points per contest. Derrick White is producing his best season with 17.6 points and 5.4 assists despite shooting under 40% from the field. Payton Pritchard has demonstrated he is an NBA starting guard, while Neemias Queta has given the C’s a reliable five-man.
Boston’s bench is also one of the best in the league, led by Anfernee Simons and 3-point ace Sam Hauser. Additionally, the Celtics rank second in the league in defense, limiting opponents to 110 points per game on 44% shooting. However, the C’s do not rebound well on defense.
Who Are The Celtics Targetting In A Trade
While Tatum’s return will be the Celtics’ best acquisition, the Celtics could still use some depth in the frontcourt, particularly in terms of size. The C’s also need the big man to be a capable rebounder and physical presence.
While Queta and Luka Garza have been solid, the Celtics don’t have anyone else taller than 6-foot-8 than those two. Also, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Chris Boucher have been major disappointments.
“I think he’s a starter,” a Western Conference scout told ESPN when talking about Queta. “He does everything you want in a center.”
Here is the thing: one of the Celtics’ reported goals this year was to get out of the league’s luxury tax. The Celtics, who have an open roster spot, are still over the tax threshold by $12 million. They do have some maneuverability if the tax isn’t an issue, since they aren’t hard-capped. The C’s are over the first apron, which could be problematic, and $7.8 million below the second apron.
The Celtics have been linked to Ivica Zubac. Zubac would be an ideal fit for the Celtics, but it is unlikely that he will be available as the Clippers don’t figure to be sellers. The Clippers have played really well after a slow start.
Jaren Jackson Jr. would be another excellent addition for the Celtics. Like Zubac, Triple J is not likely going anywhere at this point.
Robert Williams, Daniel Gafford, and Day’Ron Sharpe are three players whom the Celtics could also pursue. This trio of players makes the most sense for the Celtics, given their salaries and trade cost.
