Last week, Boston Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge answered questions about the massive traded player exception acquired through the Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade during the offseason. With $28.5 million available to be used, the Cs have tons of options for how they can improve their team.
Ainge raised eyebrows with his remarks, stating that they will be looking to use the exception to add “shooting with size” to the squad. He emphasized how attaining a shooter who cannot defend will not be a difference-maker for the team, largely focusing on acquiring two-way players.
The Boston Celtics are looking for a shooter with size
This would likely mean the Boston Celtics are less likely to trade for JJ Redick, as he’s certainly a negative on the defensive side of the ball. With this new information, we can narrow in on some candidates that fit the role that Ainge desires.
It’s likely that Boston won’t make a move until near the trade deadline where teams start to try to move their pieces, but let’s take a look ahead at some potential candidates for the Celtics to add:
“Shooter with size” Boston Celtics target No. 1) Harrison Barnes
The Boston Celtics are certainly familiar with Harrison Barnes’ game after they suffered a loss at the hand of the Sacramento Kings last Wednesday. Barnes scored 24 points in the win, while also recording five rebounds and six assists.
On the year, he is averaging 17.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, with the latter two being career highs. In terms of efficiency, he’s shooting career bests from the field (49.8%) and from downtown (41.3%). He has helped Sacramento overperform their talent level, sitting at 10-11 and in contention for the playoffs in the Western Conference.
He’s been one of the most productive players in all of basketball in the first 20 games of this season, as the Kings are a whopping 14 points better with him on the floor — they allow nine points less on defense and are five points better on the offensive end. He also defends effectively without fouling, sitting in the 100th percentile in foul percentage for wings at 1.3.
This has been a problem for the Boston Celtics, most recently in their game against these Kings, as Sacramento got back in the game by getting into the bonus quickly in the fourth quarter.
Standing at 6-8, Barnes is a switchable defender who can play multiple positions and create for himself and others on the offensive end. In Boston, he would likely operate as a spot-up shooter when he shares the court with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but he would be effective.
For Sacramento, it makes sense to trade the North Carolina product this year near the trade deadline, as he doesn’t fit the timeline for their young team. Building around De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton (23 and 20 years old respectively), Barnes will be out of his prime by the time they are ready to compete in the playoffs.
Additionally, he is under contract for three more years at around $20 million per year, which would be a good contract to get off their books. The Boston Celtics shouldn’t care about taking on more money, as they’re going to need to use this TPE one way or another.
They have the assets to get it done, and, despite Houdini Site Expert Mark Nilon feeling they should pass on Barners, I personally believe he should be their top choice with his great play this year.
“Shooter with size” Boston Celtics target No. 2) Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon seems to have been in heavy trade talks throughout his whole career in Orlando but has yet to be traded. He just suffered an ankle injury that will sideline him for 4-6 weeks, but there’s no rush for Ainge to get a deal done.
Gordon is a prototypical 3-and-D wing with good athleticism, improving his shot from distance this year.
In 19 games, he is averaging 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, while shooting 42.7% from the field and 36.9% from distance. On a team ravaged with injuries, Gordon has been forced to become the main focus for his team, leading to more ball-handling responsibilities.
The Magic are destined for the NBA lottery, currently sitting at 8-14 in the Eastern Conference. With Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz both out for the year, their team structure has gone out the window, and don’t be surprised if they sell off both Gordon and Evan Fournier at the trade deadline.
AG has been a bright spot for Orlando however, with the team being 7.3 points better with him on the court, improving on both offense and defense. In his greater role, his efficiency hasn’t been great, placing in the 27th percentile in points per 100 shots for forwards.
Ideally, on a contending team such as the Boston Celtics, he would be asked to shoot when he’s open and guard his position, limiting his role. This would be a stark contrast from his current situation, as he is supporting a 24.8% usage rate, one of the highest for forwards in the league.
When compared to Barnes, this move would be cheaper, both in terms of years and salary. He is only under contract until 2021-22, and still just 25 years of age, it’s possible he improves in his new situation.
Originally, many thought Boston would chase Gordon’s teammate Evan Fournier during the season, but considering Ainge’s comments on Thursday, that’s probably not happening. If they want defense, don’t look to Fournier, who makes Orlando’s defense nearly ten points worse when he’s on the court.
“Shooter with size” Boston Celtics target No. 3) P.J. Tucker
P.J. Tucker is another name that has been connected with the Celtics in recent weeks. The 35-year-old is averaging 5.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 39.2% from three in his fourth year in Houston.
Tucker has proven to be a winning player in his time in the NBA, helping the Houston Rockets make it to the conference finals multiple times. His game is mostly known at this point — he’s a great defender who can guard anyone on the floor, and he stands in the corner on offense and shoots threes.
His role is strictly off the ball, carrying one of the lowest usage rates in the league for the past five seasons, not finding himself over 10% usage since his 2016-17 campaign.
He would fit in perfectly next to three players who thrive with the ball in their hands in Kemba Walker, Brown, and Tatum. Opposing defenses will have to help off the corner when one of those three drives to the lane, leaving Tucker open in the corner for his favorite shot.
With the trade of James Harden, the Rockets have fully gone into rebuild mode, openly shopping both Tucker and the newly acquired guard Victor Oladipo — who some would argue should be a target for Boston as well. It makes sense for them to get something in return for the veteran, as he’s in the last year of his deal.
Making just under $8 million dollars in the 2020-21 season, this trade would be on the safer side.
However, the Celtics can split up the TPE to use on multiple players, still leaving over $20 million to work with after a potential Tucker acquisition. This would definitely be the easiest deal to pull off, as Houston has no reason to keep him around.
Ultimately, Ainge will have the last decision in how he uses this historic traded player exception, but these are three names that fit his criteria.