Could Kings’ Bagley, Bjelica make more sense for Celtics targets than Barnes?

A whole lot of ink is being spilled on whether the Boston Celtics are interested in (or should be) trading for Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, but it might be worth pivoting to deal for another pair of Kings players who ought to be available to trade.

While we believe in the fit for Barnes moving forward with the Celtics — and appreciate his contract ending just as Boston might want to consider a significant roster shake up — the potential impact of Barnes’ current income could create some serious tax issues barring some artful maneuvering with the rest of the roster.

A pivot to veteran big man Nemanja Bjelica and former No. 2 overall draft pick Marvin Bagley III could be an enticing alternate path with the same team — let’s take a look at how.

Bjelica is not exactly having a career year, but the news of his displeasure in his role this season is not exactly a secret and may be a significant factor. The 6-foot-10 forward is a career 39% sharpshooter from deep, and was hitting an absurd 57.1% from 3 before sitting out much of the month of January into February in protest over reportedly losing his starting role to Bagley, per The Athletic's Sam Amick and Jason Jones. And while there'd be risk on duplicating that conflict by bringing both along to Boston, shifting their potential roles (and winning) might make those concerns moot (more on this later). The Serbian vet is excellent in transition -- rating in Synergy's 98th percentile -- while also excellent posting up and good generating offense off of cuts, all wrinkles the Celtics could use. https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1369815378256420865?s=20

And while much of the hand-wringing regarding Bagley has been focused on his father's comments, which, while not disavowed by the son, were never going to be given it was his family. Is asking for a trade from what has historically been one of the worst-run organizations in the league in recent years that controversial of a statement for a former top pick anyway? Assuming the organizational integrity of the Celtics and improved exposure and opportunity Boston would provide, we can spend our time focusing on the other aspects that matter -- namely the contract, potential and his production. https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1370059707050770437?s=20

Regarding his ceiling, it's fair to say that not being Luka Doncic is a tough shadow to get out of. But it needs to be kept in mind he's also a third-year player who has managed to improve his shot profile and percentage considerably this season despite being in a less-than-optimal situation. Shooting a career high 37% from deep on 2.7 attempts per game and a solid 54% from inside the arc, Bagley looks like a potential good-stats-bad-team guy making too much money at $8.9 million this season, $11.3 million the next and a qualifying offer of $14 million the season after. https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1369981461823098884?s=20

But a closer look reveals a player who is solid in both the halfcourt and transition, and while not especially great offensively he can switch back and forth between the four and the five on offense interchangeably in ways some of the Celtics frontcourt have struggled with. And while both his and Bjelica's defense is poor, both can coexist with bigs like Robert Williams III and Daniel Theis, and in lineups that would make up for their shortcomings in other ways. Best of all, a deal sending back Tristan Thompson, one of Semi Ojeleye, Carsen Edwards or Javonte Green and a pair of second rounders might be enough to seal the deal while only eating up a little over $5 million of the big TPE, and keeping Boston well below the luxury tax. https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1369890883928260608?s=20

The Athletic's Sam Amick notes that the Kings offers "have been just nothing to write home about at all" in a recent podcast with HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. It's also not necessary to pursue both together -- each make more sense on Boston's roster than Thompson does at present. To his credit, he's still useful enough as to contribute on a winning roster -- but most teams in the league already have their solution in that regard this late in the season. And while the former Cav might still yet become the sort of player Boston had hoped he'd be, Thompson has precious little time left to show it. https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1369845595838513155?s=20

Whichever direction Boston takes at the deadline -- if it bothers trading at all -- it might make sense to consider these other two Kings forwards instead of Barnes if the price is right. It's a legitimate question as to whether the Celtics' prospective trade partner would want to move Bagley at such a low return. But if the team has reason to believe the former lottery pick has no intention of remaining with the team, it might make sense to cut bait. This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook! https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=BOlVDokLTW-1193334-8380&autoplay=on&V=2&format=json [lawrence-related id=47677,47631,47628,47615] [listicle id=47671]

1

1