Three Boston Celtics 2022 trade deadline targets highlighted in new B/R article
As one of the NBA’s ball clubs most widely seen as likely to be an active franchise in seeking to shake up their rosters ahead of the 2022 trade deadline arriving on Feb. 10, the Boston Celtics have naturally been one of the most common subjects of articles from analysts trying to prognosticate what the team will pursue in terms of trades.
One such prospective analysis hails from Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, who has put together a list of three potential trade targets for the Celtics to consider going after before the deadline arrives in a little less than two weeks from today.
Let’s take a look at who Buckley believes Boston should be doing due diligence on.
Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
“He might not be the first name that comes to mind when considering third stars to support the Jays, but the fact he sits a tier beneath full-fledged stardom might be a good thing,” writes the B/R analyst.
“It would at least make him easier to pencil into a third-banana role, meaning he wouldn’t step on any toes and should fill in the cracks wherever they form from one night to the next.”
Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer relates that it is “unclear how far that dialogue progressed.” https://t.co/keXEofOSiM
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 28, 2022
“He’s as solid as a Grant Williams screen, and Barnes has the adaptability needed to thrive as a glue guy,” explains Buckley.
“He can play all three frontcourt spots—though, you’d be pretty desperate (or bold) to play him at the 5 for more than a pinch—he can guard up or down a position on defense and his three-ball boasts a 38 percent splash rate over his decade-long career.”
“The Sacramento Kings, who are forever going nowhere fast, should be ready to talk shop on a Barnes’ swap,” adds the author. “If the Celtics can bend their ear with an offer, it might be a no-brainer.”
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
“John Collins inked a five-year, $125 million pact with the Atlanta Hawks just last season,” observes Buckley. “But if you thought that for sure tied his future to theirs, you apparently thought wrong.”
“‘Everyone but Trae Young and Clint Capela are available,’ an assistant general manager told B/R’s Jake Fischer.”
Report: Celtics guard Dennis Schroder a ‘main target’ for Cavs’ new $9 million disabled player exception https://t.co/U6cvayRU2B
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 28, 2022
“If you listened closely when that report dropped, you might have heard Stevens scrambling to the nearest phone,” jokes the B/R analyst.
“Collins would be an excellent third wheel. He’s a good enough scorer to serve as the primary option some nights, but on the rest, he could complement the stars while subsisting on catch-and-launch threes and hard rolls to the rim.”
“Defense isn’t the sharpest weapon in his arsenal, but his length and bounce have value on that end, plus the Celtics have Williams to cover up any miscues,” offers Buckley.
Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
“Contrary to what this list might suggest, no, the Celtics shouldn’t spend trade season trying to raid the Kings’ roster,” claims the author. “However, just like Barnes, Buddy Hield could really help this roster—albeit in a completely different fashion.”
“While Barnes offers do-it-all appeal, Hield is a specialist. But his high-volume, high-efficiency outside shooting could be a big boon to this offense and its bottom-third perimeter connection rate, so his singular focus shouldn’t bother Boston’s front office. Hield is about as lethal as they come from long range. Since the start of 2018-19, he has buried 3.7 triples per night at a 40 percent clip.”
“Having that caliber of three-point threat on the floor should take a lot of defensive attention away from the Jays,” writes Buckley.
WATCH: What is the future of the Boston Celtics’ backcourt ahead of the 2022 NBA trade deadline? https://t.co/bheOoHR5pD
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 28, 2022
For us, Barnes should be both the best fit on-court and the most attainable, but past experiences alluded to by Buckley hint the Kings may not be open to moving the forward for a reasonable ask.
Collins is probably the most talented and an excellent fit in terms of his age (24) if not style of play, and should also be a chief target of the Celtics.
As for Hield, we are more skeptical he can play a major role on a winning team, though his shooting would undeniably help if the price to land his contract was enough of a bargain.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
[mm-video type=video id=01fstn8tf05cdwpd5s71 playlist_id=01eqbzegwgnrje4tv2 player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fstn8tf05cdwpd5s71/01fstn8tf05cdwpd5s71-77f741ab78f665e0929a2983ef139149.jpg]
[lawrence-related id=70862,70854,70850,70833]
[listicle id=70905]
[vertical-gallery id=70838]
1
1
