Celtics Expected to be Active in the Buyout Market

The Celtics can't sign a player on the buyout market with an original salary exceeding $12.4 million due to being over the second apron.

Tuesday night, the Boston Celtics embark on a four-game West Coast trip that starts with a 2022 NBA Finals rematch against the Golden State Warriors.

It also includes a Christmas showdown against LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Boston, 20-5, is tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the best record in the NBA. The Celtics are also coming off a sweep of a five-game homestand, improving to 14-0 at TD Garden this season. The last time they swept a stretch of at least that many consecutive matchups on their parquet was in 2016.

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Monday, NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Run It Back on FanDuel TV that the C's will be "active in the trade market to pursue bench help."

That comes on the heels of ESPN's Brian Windhorst speculating Boston and the Milwaukee Bucks are unlikely to make significant trades but that he expects both to be active in the buyout market.

It's worth noting neither team can sign a player with an original salary of more than $12.4 million due to restrictions that come with them being over the second tax apron.

"The Celtics have six premium starters, and it makes them one of the NBA's best teams," expressed Windhorst. "But after that, coach Joe Mazzulla has less experienced/proven players on his bench. "Getting one more quality rotation player, at any position, would give Boston options."

Joe Mazzulla has praised the Celtics' second unit on multiple occasions, citing how they've found their identity while understanding that what they need to provide off the bench can change from one game to the next.

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Sam Hauser has solidified himself as an impactful two-way wing and the team's seventh man.

Payton Pritchard struggled shooting the ball to start this campaign, but he has consistently defended well, has grown operating the pick-and-roll, and drilled 43.9 percent of his 3.9 three-point attempts in his last 17 tilts.

When considering where franchise president of basketball operations Brad Stevens may prioritize on the buyout or trade markets, center is the logical position to pinpoint.

Ideally, Boston adds a playoff-caliber rotation player who can operate the four and five spots. That way, the team's better protected in case Kristaps Porzingis or Al Horford miss any amount of time in the postseason.

But the projected impact from players who end up on the buyout market often gets overstated, and finding a fit who can bolster their bench is the overarching objective, regardless of position.

Further Reading

Celtics Have Reportedly Shown 'Great Interest' in Pistons' Center

Jaylen Brown Discusses Growing Leadership Role with Celtics: 'I've Embraced That'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

Jaylen Brown Generates 31 Points as Pace-Pushing Celtics Complete Two-Game Sweep of Magic

Celtics Utilize Speed Advantage in Run Away Win vs. Magic: 'It Makes the Game Easier'

Here's What Stood Out as Shorthanded Celtics Throttled Magic to Extend Home Unbeaten Streak

Derrick White Praises Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown's Impact That 'Doesn't Show Up on the Stat Sheet'

Jayson Tatum Praises Kristaps Porzingis for Allowing Celtics to Spin the Dial Defensively

An Empowered Jaylen Brown Strives to Balance Scoring with Playmaking: 'I've Grown A Lot'

Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present