The Celtics appear to be in the market for an in-season upgrade to their roster, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, who says he received “a flurry of texts” on Saturday night from executives around the league who suggested that Boston appeared to be up to something.
The Celtics haven’t completed any moves in the couple days since then, so there’s no indication at this point that anything is imminent — the team could wait until closer to the March 25 trade deadline to attempt to finalize a move. O’Connor notes that league sources have long stated that the C’s are looking to bolster their wing and frontcourt rotations.
Discussing the Celtics’ massive trade exception during a radio appearance last week, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge suggested the club’s top priority on the trade market will be “shooting with size.”
Here’s more from around the East:
- The Knicks aren’t done exploring trade options after acquiring Derrick Rose from Detroit, says Ian Begley of SNY.tv (video link). According to Begley, at least one team in playoff contention has shown some interest in Elfrid Payton. Additionally, while New York didn’t want to move Kevin Knox in the Rose deal, that doesn’t mean that he’s untouchable “by any stretch of the imagination,” per Begley.
- As long as the Bulls continue playing sub-.500 ball, Zach LaVine – whose contract expires in 2022 – will be the subject of trade rumors. However, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago argues that LaVine, whose scoring average this season is up to a career-high 27.4 PPG, continues to improve and that the team should seriously consider pursuing a contract extension for the standout guard in the offseason.
- With multiple reports indicating that the Bulls could be a landing spot for Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype explains why a trade sending him to Chicago would make sense for both Ball and the Bulls.
i already love the franchise who takes payton away from ny
haha same here. If they could ship out Payton, Knox, and Frank for anything, I’d be ecstatic.
tbh i like knox, think he could improve a lot with better coaching and more minutes. his upside is way higher than bullock for example
I don’t necessarily disagree. Out of the four I’d like to see traded (DSJ (now gone), Frank, Payton, and Knox), I think Knox would benefit most from a change of scenery. I don’t think he’ll ever be great or live up to his standing as a lottery pick, but I think he could be serviceable somewhere.
Balls & Bulls? Its not the fit I’d put together.
Mainly because I wouldn’t be trading any picks if I was Chicago, but partly for the namesake I started the paragraph with
If they land Ball for expiring Felicio, or Satoransky? Pull that trigger until the clip empties…
Celtics want “shooting with size” that can also play defense, as does every other team in the NBA lol. I’d settle for a more traditional big guy who can protect the rim, maybe move Thompson and get an A+ outside shooter (not JJ Reddick, btw). I think that’s the most realistic scenario as idk who checks all the boxes they want and is also available/affordable. Drummond comes up a lot, not sure he’s the answer.
My other idea is they package some rookies and picks for Vucevic lol good luck with that but he’d be fun on the Celtics.
2 rnd picks and bench pieces for Ball only. I wouldn’t trade any of the top 6 players or a first round pick. Porter would be the one player of value I would deal being he is on an expiring contract. That does not work money wise unless more comes back.
The only player available I can think of (without giving up a whole lot) who has “shooting with size” is Nemanja Bjelica, but I don’t know how much he helps the C’s even though I like his game and hope he can get out of Sacramento
I think the Celtics should explore Mo Bama. I think Theis can shoot enough in the second unit. So many teams are close to the playoffs that finding someone maybe hard.
I’m not sure the deal is to add to the second unit. I think the deal would he to find a better option to start at the 4over theis. Perhaps Blake griffin. I know he is well over the hill and overpriced, but he can shoot it and hes big. And his team is out of contention… or perhaps Davis bertans
davis bertans shooting below 35% dis season… having a bad year despite getting an extension from da wizards
Payton is having a good yr. He still has bad offensive gms. But his D is solid. I think he’s a great backup.
28.5 mins, 12 pts, 3.7 ast, 3.8 reb. That’s a solid backup PG to me. Rose mentoring and backing up Quickly is a good idea. Still young but to me he has work to do. To be more an ast and run the team kind of PG. At 20 you hope he will get there. Knicks could still trade for or draft a more traditional PG. We are only 22 gms into Thibs tenure. Knox imo needs more time and coaching, he should stay. Randle is who Knick fans are keeping tabs on. Last yr all of media wanted him gone. And 80% of fans wanted him gone too. Amazing what 22 gms can do to the EYES. He’s still not best mix for Mitch n RJ. It’s why they drafted Obi1 in first place. His value will never be higher. Knicks still have another trade to make. All about rebuilding, Big picture.
I think with Payton it’s just a matter of playing time that is available now that Rose is here. His offense is streaky and frequently bad, but his D is good and he puts out a good effort.
Its why I say he’s excellent backup. He can help a contender. I’ve read stories, rumors that Payton could be traded. Makes sense we need to play Frank to move him too.
Lol maybe they should try to bring back al back to play C. I am sure thunder will trade for a reasonably package.
Another choice if they want a four is Barnes , pj tucker.
The Bulls should try to sign LaVine to an extension. LaVine is only twenty five years old (will be 26 in March) and a great offensive talent. Imagine an extension with LaVine will not come cheap. If the Bulls could give LaVine the same contract as Gordan Hayward $120 million for four years, think that the Bulls will have done well. The Bulls have to pay someone sooner or later. LaVine has been ‘a trooper’ playing on bad teams for his time with the Bulls.
That contract won’t get it done.
You are right. The Bulls will have to go higher. If I were the Bull’s management, I would go higher within reason. LaVine as a scorer is equal to Bradley Beal (both are amazing offensive players). LaVine can put up 25 to 30 points every night. Not easy to find a player that talented. Understand people may wonder, if LaVine is so great than why are the Bulls so bad. LaVine has been surrounded by weak teammates and the teammates are always injured.
Defense…..!!!!
Celtics Trade exception fits these two players.
Al Horford and LaMarcus Aldridge. Two 4s that can shoot.
Can the Knicks recoup the second round pick if they trade Payton? Any chance Payton, Knox, Frank and two number ones get Lavine?
I would say ‘zero’ chance. Payton, Knox, and Frank have almost no trade value. Two number ones is enticing but they could probably do better. With Lavine, the Knicks would almost cement being in the playoffs, so those 1sts would be mid rounder. Could be wrong, though.
Exactly. To make a trade with the Bulls for LaVine, the Knicks would have to include something good such as Barrett and/or Mitchell Robinson. The Bulls don’t want the Knick’s junk. The Bulls aren’t stupid. If Payton, Knox and Ntilikina can’t start for the Knicks, what does that say?
Hopefully none, or the Knicks might be tempted to offer it. The players have little value, but the picks (even if lightly protected) have a lot. LeVine’s teams always have top 10 picks; no reason that would change with the Knicks. He’s not a player you win with.
Playing with a leadership-type PG like Lonzo might keep Lavine from doing what he does NOT do well. These happy-to-be-here types they have had at the other guard have not helped his cause IMO.
Like Booker, sort of winning now.
but aldrige is in decline and is almost losing his athleticism and he just got a hip injury
Ainge’s deliberate style isn’t geared for a big TD deal. Maybe armed with the TPE, he’ll keep it simple. Plenty of guys out there.
Otto Porter fits if he gets over his back injury
Celtics made no move last yr. And they had a shot against Heat. They needed help against Bam it turned out, right. Plus Kemba went down even Hayward was down for awhile. He’s letting his team down if he doesn’t go something. Celts pick up another good player. They have a strong shot at Finals and ring.
Don’t understand why the Pels would want to trade Ball. The Pels have an excellent group of young talented players: Williamson, Ingram, Ball, Hart, Lewis, Walker. These players are all under control contractually for next season (2021-2022). Think that the Pels may have some extra draft picks in the future also. So why not just continue to build out what the Pels already have? I don’t believe rumors that Ball is being shopped.
I agree, if they think he’s good a core player on their team going forward. He certainly fits age and position wise with Zion and Ingram. But, if not, then it would make sense, because he is a rising RFA (he’s controlled but not as to price).
Sometimes (often actually) other teams would do well to listen to what a player’s team thinks of him. Few RSC guys who a team walks away from (no Q/O or declining a match) do well. There are exceptions, but, more often than not, they too prove the rule.
Portland and GS could use a guard that can defend that position. I could see either of them being interested in Payton among others