What you need to know about the Boston Celtics’ 2019 trade deadline
The NBA’s trade deadline is on February 7th, so here’s everything you need to know about the Boston Celtics leading up to the big day.
Trade deadline season is the craziest time of the regular season. It’s a preview to the offseason magnified by the immediate expectation of results. The Boston Celtics currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference, a far cry from where they expected to be at this point.
Some may think the Celtics have to make a trade at the deadline. Somehow a trade will magically fix the issues that have ailed this team, but if it’s your opinion than so be it.
If we’re going to talk trades, we need to have an understanding of what the Celtics can actually do and what their restrictions are. So let’s lay them out.
Celtics salary restrictions
The Celtics are currently $4 million over the luxury tax, meaning they can not acquire more money than they send out in a trade. If a hypothetical player(s) has a salary of $15 million, the Celtics more or less must send out $15 million.
This is the first step for teams when they execute trades. So don’t come at me with Marc Gasol for Terry Rozier and a first round pick kind of trade ideas. The money doesn’t match.
Draft pick collection
As per usual, the Celtics have an abundance of draft picks to use in deals. Boston may be saving them for a bigger deal down the line — like Anthony Davis — but as of now they have one of the more attractive pick collections in the league. That reminds me, the Celtics CANNOT trade for Anthony Davis until Kyrie Irving signs a new contract, unless you trade Irving for Davis (Not happening).
Grizzlies 1st round pick (protected 1-8)
Clippers first round pick (protected 1-14)
Kings first round pick (top-1 protected)
Celtics first round pick
Celtics second round pick (protected 31-55)
As of today, the Celtics would own picks 13, 18, 24 and 53. The Grizzlies pick would not convey because it currently sits at No. 6 overall.
Boston does not have the kind of roster space to put every pick on the roster right away, so it’s possible they try to consolidate their picks to move up in the draft or use them on draft-and-stash players like Ante Zizc and Guerschon Yabusele in 2016.
Trade rumors
Besides the Phoenix Suns and Magic expressing interest in Terry Rozier earlier this season, the trade rumor mill has been pretty quiet for the Celtics. However, Danny Ainge most recently said he doesn’t think the Celtics need a trade right now. I know the desire for a trade is there for fans, but if Ainge, the godfather of NBA trades doesn’t think one is necessary, it probably won’t happen.
Team needs
The Celtics don’t need much. Their roster is insanely deep and talented, so more consistent production could mask a lot of needs we might think they need. Anyway, the main needs this team has would probably look like the following:
- Veteran presence
- Rebounder
- Shooting
If the Celtics see a player that can help right now for cheap and doesn’t hurt their long term window, I’m sure they’d take a look at pulling the trigger.
Other notes
- Aron Baynes has a no-trade clause. If you think Baynes should be traded, he’ll have to agree with you too
- Terry Rozier is a restricted free agent this summer, meaning the team who has him at the end of the season has the right to match any offer sheet he receives. This is not your typical expiring contract trade.
- If the Celtics wanted to get under the luxury tax, a trade of Rozier and Yabusele for draft picks would do the trick.
- Jabari Bird still holds a roster spot for the Celtics. Boston is following the NBA’s lead on how to deal with his pending assault case, but sooner or later the Celtics should have an open roster spot to use.
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Buyout market
A reason to play close attention to the trades made by other teams. If the Celtics don’t make any deals at the trade deadline, they could always look to see who’s available in the buyout market. It’s hard to forecast who will be a buyout candidate, but it usually happens to veteran players traded to non-contenders. Joe Johnson, Andrew Bogut and Greg Monroe are examples of past buyout signees.