NBA Insiders Offer $18.5 million, three-year Targets for Possible Celtics Trade
Not too long ago, the NBA reached a significant milestone. 81 players became eligible for trades on December 15, making an overall total of 88 percent of the Association’s players that met that criteria.
Although there haven’t been any deals this month in the previous two seasons, it’s a time when the foundation for upcoming trades is set.
Colleague Tim Bontemps was welcomed by host and ESPN NBA analyst Zach Lowe on the latest episode of The Lowe Post podcast. Both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown felt that this Boston Celtics team is the best of their careers.
The only teams in the top five in terms of offensive and defensive rating are the former and the Philadelphia 76ers. The latter’s net rating is the highest (11.5). In that category, the Celtics rank second (9.1).
They are generally regarded as having the best top six in the NBA. Beyond that, Sam Hauser has established himself as a two-way wing and locked down the seventh spot in the rotation. Additionally, Payton Pritchard scores 7.1 points, pulls down 3.1 rebounds, and dishouts 2.9 assists per game. His growth when operating the pick-and-roll is apparent, as he is drilling 39.4% of the four threes he is hoisting on average.
Yet there have been rumors indicating that Boston is expected to be active in the trade and buyout markets given that the team is over the second apron and all in on winning its 18th championship.
When talking about the kind of player the Celtics should aim for, Lowe and Bontemps mentioned a wing that they thought Brad Stevens, the team’s president of basketball operations, ought to target.
Boston already has a relationship with one player, John Konchar of the Memphis Grizzlies. The four-year veteran’s minutes vary, and he isn’t a lock for the starting lineup. From 20.8 in the 2022–2023 season to 18 this year, they have decreased.
currently 8-19 and ranked 13th in the Western Conference. It makes sense to trade Konchar for a comparable return or a second-round pick.
This season, the former star of Purdue-Fort Wayne is owed $2.4 million. Thus, his contract easily falls within the $6.2 million traded player exception (TPE) that the Boston Celtics established when they acquired Grant Williams from the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade.
His $18.5 million, three-year extension will begin in 2024–2025 and have an average yearly value of $6.2 million. Konchar’s contract might be useful in a future trade, and he would provide the Celtics with another shooter.
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