NBA Trade Deadline 2023 – What will the Boston Celtics do?
With the NBA Trade Deadline fast approaching, leaders of 30 franchises are busy making the necessary moves by February 9th. Of course, every team’s situation is different, and that’s why we wanted to create a specific deadline document with the franchise. Presentation issues, issues to watch, intentions in the transfer market… we tell you everything. Boston Celtics on the menu today.
Celtics, more buyers or sellers at the deadline?
Anything goes in Boston right now. With an eight-game winning streak and an overall record of 34 wins and 12 losses, The Celtics continue their bad reign this 2022-23 regular season. It’s the second most efficient offense in the NBA (117.5 points per 100 possessions), the fifth best defense (110.9 points per 100 possessions) and the team with the best net rating (offensive/defensive efficiency differential, 6.6). league wide. With Jayson Tatum in MVP mode and a push from an absolutely formidable staff, Boston is a midseason NBA title favorite.
As they say, you can’t change a winning team. So the next three weeks should be quiet on the Boston side, with no major action expected.
? No action coming from the Boston side.
Brad Stevens is not leaking any information, the only rumors surrounding Payton Pritchard were quickly swept away.
Watch the buyout market, until then it’s going to be downright quiet on the Celtics side. pic.twitter.com/jr2uDGg0Dh
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) January 10, 2023
Transferable Celtics player(s).
No big moves are expected, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any Celtics rumors.
Among the files to watch in the “Potential departure” box is this one Payton Pritchard. While he’s recently taken advantage of the absences of Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart to get some minutes and have some interesting performances, the third-year point guard doesn’t fit into coach Joe Mazzulla’s plans when the team is complete ( Career-low playing time this year, just 10.7 per night minutes). That makes him a natural candidate for a trade, though Boston still wants to keep him, and the Warriors would be among the teams particularly interested.
Another thing to consider is this Danilo Gallinari. The Italian, who was recruited this summer but is out for the entire season with a torn knee ligament, could potentially be included in the deal for salary reasons. The veteran is currently signed to a two-year, $13 million contract (with a player option next season). The Celtics received a $3.2 million Disabled Player Exception after Gallo was injured earlier in the season, which can be used to rehabilitate a player in the final year of his contract.
Celtics coveted players
If the Celtics appear to have what it takes to contend for a championship this season, director of basketball operations Brad Stevens will still look to the transfer market to see if there is a way to further improve the current squad. This is one of the names that comes up frequently Jakob Poeltl.
? Jakob Poeltl in Raptors (again) and Celtics sights?
Boston and San Antonio already worked together on the Derrick White file last year. https://t.co/CkVZxf7p4H
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) January 17, 2023
The 27-year-old Spurs center doesn’t really fit the San Antonio franchise’s rebuilding project, instead looking to capitalize on his market value (12.3 points on 63.4% shooting, 9.4 rebounds, 1.3 against) to acquire draft picks. So why are the Celtics interested in him when they already have Robert Williams III and Al Horford at No. 5? Well, because the former is no stranger to injuries, and the latter is 36 years old. You can never be too careful, eh, especially when you’re playing for a title. Still, the Spurs are greedy in terms of consideration: two first-round draft picks, that’s what.
