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The Latest Celtics Trade Chatter
While all indications are the Celtics will extend Jaylen Brown, even if a deal gets done to keep the two-time All-Star in Boston, there's much for the franchise to sort through.
At his end-of-season press conference, Celtics' president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, came across as sincere in expressing his belief "small tweaks" are their most likely path to a championship.
Hiring Sam Cassell and Charles Lee, two of the NBA's top assistants, coupled with the hope and internal belief Joe Mazzulla grows in his second year as the team's head coach, should help elevate what's already a roster capable of capturing Banner 18.
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So, while it seems like Marcus Smart, who recently opened up about a wide range of topics in an exclusive interview with this author, will remain the starting point guard, a role that should come with more responsibility for initiating the offense and helping Jayson Tatum and Brown perform at their best, Boston's backcourt depth could still undergo a makeover.
According to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes, the Celtics are "fielding calls on the multitude of quality guards on their roster." Haynes adds Boston's trying to create some position balance.
Derrick White, who's coming off a career year, including getting selected to the NBA's All-Defensive Second Team, likely isn't going anywhere.
And while Smart's spot isn't guaranteed, swapping him for Chris Paul at this stage in the latter's career seems like a gamble best avoided. The future Hall of Fame floor general is 38, undersized, has a concerning injury history, and 18 years of NBA mileage on his tires.
That leaves Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard. The former, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, is owed $22.5 million for the 2023-24 campaign and the following season.
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Brogdon was excellent during the regular season. He nearly shot his way into the 50/40/90 club for the second time in his career, faring 48.4 percent from the field, knocking down a career-best 44.4 percent of the 4.4 threes he hoisted, the fourth-highest accuracy rate in the NBA, and converting on 87 percent of his free throws.
And if he hadn't suffered a partial tear in the tendon coming out of his right elbow that leads into his forearm, an injury he said has him contemplating surgery, perhaps the Celtics would've at least returned to the Finals.
Instead, the former Virginia Cavalier averaged 5.7 points in their series against the Heat and shot 30.8 percent from the field, making less than one three per contest on 16.7 percent shooting beyond the arc.
Given Brogdon's concerning injury history and the need to prepare for the restrictive nature of the league's new collective bargaining agreement, Boston may decide it's best to trade him this summer.
This author laid out a deal rerouting him to shed salary and bring in a player who fits alongside Tatum and Brown.
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And even if the franchise parts with Brogdon after one season, Payton Pritchard still likely seeks a trade that would send him somewhere he could get more playing time.
Here's an exploration into potential returns should the former Oregon Duck have a new NBA home in 2023-24.
Further Reading
Celtics Reportedly Interested in Trading for Isaiah Stewart
Celtics' Danilo Gallinari Exercises Player Option for 2023-24 Season
NBA Insider Says Celtics Intend to Extend Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum's Partnership
The Latest on Celtics' Pursuit of Bradley Beal
Rick Barry Says Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Suffer From “Westbrook Syndrome”
Rick Barry Discusses Nearly Joining Celtics, Shares His Perspective on Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson
Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Julian Strawther
Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Jordan Walsh
Are the Celtics Small Tweaks from a Title? Brad Stevens Thinks So
