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The Boston Celtics entered the NBA trade deadline with a six-game win streak in hand, and winners of 11 of their final 15 video games. Till the month of January, the Celtics had been seesawing the road between consumers or sellers this season, with each win or loss swaying the fanbase a method or one other. However because the begin of the brand new yr, the staff has begun to ascertain their identification as a defensive juggernaut, which left Brad Stevens with some onerous selections to make on Thursday.
Boston began the day by getting themselves underneath the tax apron by buying and selling PJ Dozier, Bol Bol and a 2nd spherical decide plus money concerns for a future 2nd spherical decide. Brad Stevens then invested on this yr’s roster in addition to the longer term by sending Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford and a 2022 protected first spherical decide and 2028 decide swap to the San Antonio Spurs for defensive playmaker Derrick White. Stevens wrapped up by making a take care of the Houston Rockets to reacquire former Celtic Daniel Theis for Dennis Schroder, Enes Freedom and Bruno Fernando. They spent some capital, however Boston now has a more durable and extra versatile protection, and their middle place has now grown a lot deeper with Daniel Theis sliding into Enes Freedom’s function.
Brad Stevens on the speedy roster wants: “We’ll had two right this moment. Then we’ll add what we want. Extra insurance coverage on our frontline is essential. And we have talked about including capturing. Ideally, some capturing with measurement. 3/4 sized guys. That is what we’ll do near-term.”
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 11, 2022
The trades have been definitely thrilling, particularly from a first-time GM in Brad Stevens; nevertheless, Stevens nonetheless has some work to do with the buyout market. After sending out Bol, Dozier, Fernando, Freedom, Langford, Richardson, and Schroder whereas solely taking again White and Theis, Boston was left with 5 open roster spots to fill. That quantity has now dropped down to 3, as the Celtics are converting the two-way contract of G-league sniper Sam Hauser to an NBA-level contract as well as signing Luke Kornet for the rest of the season.
With three spots left to work with, who’re some gamers that Boston can goal so as to add to their depth? Let’s have a look!
D.J. Augustin
As a part of the deal that landed Theis in Boston, Houston wanted to clear spots for Fernando, Freedom and Schroder. D.J. Augustin was one of many gamers waived with a purpose to make the commerce potential, and in the correct function, he may discover himself latching onto a playoff staff as a bench reserve. Augustin, 34, has been a journeyman over the previous decade after coming into the league Charlotte again in 2008. He’s a bit undersized at 5’11”, however per Basketball Reference, he’s a profession 38% shooter from deep and shot 40.6% from deep on about 3 makes an attempt per sport this season in his time with Houston. He’s not going to be sport changer by any means, but when there’s any gasoline left within the tank, he might be one other seasoned veteran within the locker room and a security internet behind Payton Pritchard on the bench.
Eric Bledsoe
Eric Bledsoe is one other potential choice if he manages to hit the buyout market. Bledsoe, 32, was a part of the package deal deal from the Clippers that netted Norman Powell and Robert Covington from the Portland Trail Blazers. Now in Portland, it’s unclear if Bledsoe may (or ought to) be a part of the Blazers’ long run plans.
By way of match, Bledsoe wouldn’t do a lot by way of addressing the staff’s capturing wants; per Basketball Reference, he’s shot 33.6% from deep on his profession and is capturing 31.3% this yr on 3 makes an attempt a sport. Nevertheless, by way of protection, Bledsoe can be a strong addition on low cash for Boston’s guard depth. Out of guards taking part in 25 minutes or extra, Bledsoe was fifth in steal share (31.5%); for a body of reference, Marcus Sensible is third (35.4%). If Boston desires to shore up their protection a bit extra and Bledsoe turns into obtainable, it might be price a cube roll so as to add one other defensive-minded guard to their rotation.
Goran Dragic
Veteran guard Goran Dragic was traded to the Spurs, and nearly instantly ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported {that a} buyout was anticipated and the Mavericks, Bucks, Bulls and Clippers can be groups interested by his providers. The Mavericks are at present rumored to be the favourite to land Dragic, however hypothetically, what would his slot in Boston be?
Dragic had landed in Toronto after the sign-and-trade of Kyle Lowry to the Miami Heat, with younger massive man Valuable Achiuwa additionally becoming a member of the Raptors alongside Dragic. Nevertheless, Dragic primarily hasn’t performed this yr, solely notching 5 video games as he selected to take a seat out whereas he waited to be moved to a different staff. That lastly got here on the commerce deadline, and with a buyout looming with the Spurs, the 35-year-old Slovenian guard can have the prospect to decide on his subsequent staff.
Wherever he indicators, he can be a restricted minutes man with the potential to nonetheless affect a staff. Final season, Dragic shot 37.3% from deep on nearly 5 makes an attempt a sport, which would supply some set off the bench. He may additionally function one other veteran voice within the locker room, and one with NBA Finals expertise and taking part in alongside star energy.
Gary Harris
One of the tempting potential buyouts is Gary Harris with the Orlando Magic. With the Magic clearly in rebuild since their blowup final commerce deadline, veterans like Terrence Ross and Gary Harris have been logical commerce targets of competing groups. The difficult factor with Harris was his expiring $20.48 million cap hit, and with Orlando’s asking price for Ross reportedly being a 1st round pick, there have been no takers keen to fulfill the wealthy asking value. Ross is on the books via subsequent season, however Harris can discover free company this summer time. That being mentioned, a buyout with Orlando appears to be off the desk in the meanwhile.
Nevertheless, IF (if is sweet!) he’s purchased out, the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics might be potential groups which have Harris on their radar. Harris, 27, had initially been with the Nuggets, however was traded to Orlando as a part of the Aaron Gordon deal. Whereas we discover hypotheticals, what would Harris doubtlessly carry to Boston?
The large one, and most blatant all, is capturing. Harris is capturing 38.8% from deep on nearly 5 makes an attempt a sport, which is the best share he’s shot from behind the arc since 2017. It isn’t an outlier on his profession both, since he’s a profession 36.2% three-point shooter. Now, with Josh Richardson and Romeo Langford gone, the wing depth exterior of Tatum and Brown is sophomore wing Aaron Nesmith and Sam Hauser. With the depth trying skinny, bringing in a knock-down shooter like Harris may tie the bench unit collectively properly together with his capturing contact and expertise working as a wing choice. The one counter-argument that might be made is that Harris may impede Aaron Nesmith’s improvement, since Boston cleared a path for the younger shooter to earn a big function on this staff.
Honorable point out: DeAndre’ Bembry
Is there someone else you prefer to Boston to pursue on the buyout market? Hold forth beneath and share your concepts!
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