The NBA commerce deadline is simply two days away and the Boston Celtics maintain the league’s greatest file at 38-12. Sometimes there isn’t a ton of commerce intrigue surrounding groups which are enjoying at this stage, however the Cs have been included in rumors — albeit small ones — for some time.
On Tuesday morning, The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach shared a tidbit of recent info surrounding Boston’s plans for the deadline. He revealed that it will be fairly stunning in the event that they utterly stood pat, as a “minor transfer” is anticipated.
“Identical to each different yr, Celtics executives are persevering with to make calls and search for methods to improve previous to Thursday’s commerce deadline,” Himmelsbach wrote Tuesday. “One league supply mentioned it will be a shock if the Celtics don’t full a minor transfer, nevertheless it most definitely could be so as to add a participant as insurance coverage in case of future accidents somewhat than to change the present rotation.”
This form of factor shouldn’t come as a shock. Once more, Boston has been one of the best staff within the league this season, regardless of their third-leading scorer, Kristaps Porzingis, lacking 14 video games. The Celtics have been cautious with Porzingis, in addition to 37-year-old huge man Al Horford. The 2 have had their fair proportion of relaxation via the primary half of the 2023-24 marketing campaign.
Within the case that both of them has to overlook time when the playoffs roll round, it doesn’t really feel just like the worst concept to have a backup plan.
My good pal Jack Simone just lately outlined lots of Celtics followers’ favourite potential candidates for the staff’s remaining roster spot.
The likes of Andre Drummond, Nick Richards, and Xavier Tillman may all function low-cost alternate options to the rotation bigs that Boston already has.
Luke Kornet has had himself a reasonably dependable season up to now, even stepping up within the few alternatives he’s had as a starter. He’s nonetheless obtained some holes in his sport, particularly on the subject of having the ability to change defensively.
As for Neemias Queta, he’s proved to be an thrilling prompt the bench in his first marketing campaign with the Cs. His presence on the offensive glass has been spectacular and he’s proven some nice athleticism to assist him pull off some spotlight performs. Nevertheless, Queta hasn’t but displayed the self-discipline wanted to defend at a excessive stage within the postseason and lacks contact across the basket when he’s not throwing down super-cool dunks.
Personally, I feel it’s robust to get too enthusiastic about any of the abovementioned candidates, as they’re obtainable for a motive. Drummond doesn’t significantly thrive on both finish of the ground however is a dominant presence on the glass, Tillman has struggled to place the ball within the basket this season, capturing simply 40.8% from the sector, and Richards has been stable for the Charlotte Hornets but when they’re prepared to commerce him it could’t be one of the best signal — they’d take all the assistance that they might get at this level.
He’s definitely my favourite of the bunch, although. Richards has shot roughly 68% from the sector to internet 9.5 factors per sport. He’s additionally proven a severe potential to seize boards, ripping down 7.9 per sport. Once more, the Hornets want the entire expertise that they will get, so it’s robust to fathom that they’d let him go.