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Celtics Linked to Multiple Wings Leading Up to Trade Deadline
As the Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches, the Boston Celtics are an NBA-leading 38-12. They could justify standing pat and converting Neemias Queta from a two-way to a full-time contract to fill their vacant roster spot.
That may be the direction they ultimately go in, but they're described as active in the trade market as they pursue options to bolster their bench before the playoffs.
Boston has its first-round picks from 2024-2027 and three second-round selections in the upcoming draft, plus a $6.2 million Grant Williams traded player exception (TPE) at its disposal.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reports the Celtics could use some of that draft capital to acquire Lonnie Walker IV. The 25-year-old guard is averaging 12 points while shooting 43.6 percent on five three-point attempts in 18.8 minutes. That's why multiple playoff teams are interested in trading for him.
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Fischer also mentioned Otto Porter Jr. as a potential target for the team atop the NBA standings. The ten-year veteran fits into the Grant Williams TPE -- it's much more likely than not that if Boston strikes a deal, it's for someone whose salary it can absorb utilizing that traded player exception.
While the 30-year-old forward's $6.3 million expiring contract might not appear to do so at first glance, teams can use a TPE to take on a salary up to $100 thousand more than its value.
However, Porter is a prime buyout candidate. Due to injuries, he's played in 23 games since joining the Toronto Raptors in the summer of 2022. But the former Georgetown Hoya contributed to the Golden State Warriors beating the Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals.
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While there's room on the roster for Porter and Oshae Brissett, the latter's made a compelling case to fill the Celtics' search for a big wing.
After Tuesday's practice, Brissett's head coach, Joe Mazzulla, expressed, "He's done a great job earning the players' trust, earning the coach's trust, and just making winning plays. It started his first game, (when) we put him in (against) Miami, and he changed the dynamic of the game. He's grown over the last week and a half -- the recognition of offense, of matchup recognition, (and) how to impact our offense.
"But the hard thing about him is he's always playing with different lineups. Sometimes he plays with Luke (Kornet), sometimes he plays with Al (Horford), (and) sometimes, he plays with KP (Kristaps Porzingis). But he's done a great job of offensive rebounding. He's done a great job of spatial awareness. He's done a great job of executing coverages defensively, and he always gives a boost when he plays."
Minutes that could go to Porter feel better off going to Brissett.
Further Reading
Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Jayson Tatum Shares What Went Through His Mind Seeing Celtics Fans Celebrate Marcus Smart
Celtics Reportedly Expressing Interest in Multiple Rotation Players
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'
Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'
Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'
