The sellers so far: What teams might move players – and which?
At roughly one-third of the way through the 2020-21 NBA season, a handful of teams are beginning to look like the postseason will be out of reach — even considering the continuing existence of the play-in tournament.
And with the Boston Celtics needing to add some talent to their roster to compete consistently at all (never mind for a title), that can help clarify which teams and what players team president Danny Ainge and the rest of the front office ought to be targeting in the coming weeks. With a historically-big traded player exception generated by the Gordon Hayward offseason sign-and-trade and a pair of smaller ones from lesser moves, the Celtics are well-positioned to shake things up if they want to.
But who might they be looking at, and on which rosters? Let’s look at the likely suspects.
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At 12th in the West, it's possible Houston can still turn things around. But if they can't, there are a few good options Boston ought to call about.
AP Photo/Brandon Dill
Christian Wood Probably not available, but a player putting up 22 points and 10.2 rebounds per game for just $13 million this season and under contract for 2 more is worth asking about.
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
P.J. Tucker Whether his asking price matches how much the veteran has left in the tank is a legitimate question; he's definitely available -- but does he make sense for the Celtics?
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Danuel House, Jr. Is the 27-year old wing available, or part of Houston's future? He'd be a big boost off the bench, but has also been disruptive in the past -- would he fit the culture of the team? https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1362545191089963009?s=20
With the Thunder, it's safe to say almost everyone is available. But what does a team with seemingly a third of the league's future firsts even want?
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Al Horford A Celtics reunion would be a great narrative, and the fit near-ideal. But is the cap hit and long-term outlook worth what it might cost to land a newly-resurgent Horford?
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Trevor Ariza Hard to know what you'd be getting here given he's yet to play this season, but in theory he could be a solid bench option for Boston. But what's the cost, and is it worth losing the cap space with his expiring contract?
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
George Hill The fit would be great for Boston, and the $9.5 million salary wouldn't hamstring the team moving forward. But what would the cost be given they are sure to be one of many asking after him?
Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Justin Jackson The 25-year-old wing might make sense as a low-cost depth option who'd slide right into the Enes Kanter TPE at $5 million, but does he move the needle compared to other options? https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1362601293588484097?s=20
This team may linger until the last moment with postseason hopes barring a continued rough stretch, but there may be a few players who might be worth making an offer for once it's clear they've resigned themselves to the lottery.
Kathryn Riley/Getty Images
Davis Bertans On one hand he's been having an off season shooting and can't defend, as teammate Bradley Beal puts it, a parked car. On the other, he's historically been a 3-point firehose making $15 million this season.
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Ish Smith A cheap, reliable backup point guard earning just $6 million who has always burned Boston when they meet isn't a terrible option, but -- at least when healthy -- there also isn't a terrible need. https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1362781055837593600?s=20
This team looked like it might have a playoff run in them before they lost nine of their last 10, and now might be one of the Celtics' best prospective trade partners as a result.
AP Photo/Michael Dwyer
Taurean Prince It's unclear if he's available, but he'd be a very solid option able to start or come off the bench at a position of need for Boston, and won't eat up the cap at $12.2 million this season.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Larry Nance Jr. One of our favorite trade targets at the Celtics Wire, Nance is a two-way option on a cheap, declining deal easily moveable in future seasons if the need arises.
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Dylan Windler A cheap small forward who'd fit into the Vincent Poirier traded player exception, Windler could provide competent depth -- but would the Cavs trade him? https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1362791798033293316?s=20
Detroit Pistons
The consensus is that forward Jerami Grant isn't available even if he should be, but there's a few other players who might make sense for the Celtics.
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Delon Wright Much like Ish Smith, Wright could help the team's backcourt depth, and is on a solid, moveable deal. Like Smith, point guard isn't an especially important position of need.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Rodney McGruder On a cheap deal just a little too big to fit into the Kanter exception, McGruder is a solid depth option worth looking into. But he also doesn't move the needle much.
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Jackson On a cheaper deal that does fit into the Kanter exception, Jackson would be a big bench upgrade. But he wouldn't be cheap, and he has baggage, so this one is probably not in the cards.
Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images
Wayne Ellington The Man with a Golden Arm is on a great deal at $2.5 million, and is shooting the lights out this season. He won't be cheap if they move him, but he might be worth it anyway. https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1362805688846585857?s=20
Minnesota Timberwolves
The worst team in the NBA in terms of record, the Wolves may be open to making moves. And they have a couple of players Boston ought to look into.
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 15: Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz goes for a lay up against the Boston Celtics on December 15, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Ricky Rubio The veteran floor general would be an outstanding option for a team in need of ball movement, but he'd fetch a big offer, and earns a big paycheck at $17 million.
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Malik Beasley He may not be available, and has plenty of baggage, but if the Celtics did pry him loose, his scoring could be the third option the team has been lacking on a long-term value deal. This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook! [lawrence-related id=46856,46854,46849,46833] [listicle id=46840]
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