Boston Celtics: 3 trades to absorb “bad contracts” into TPE

Why the Boston Celtics do it

With Jeff Teague playing so poorly and showing obvious signs of aging the past couple seasons, the Celtics may be better off searching for a veteran backup point guard alternative.

Enter Ricky Rubio.

Just last season, Rubio engineered one of the surprise breakouts in Phoenix by taking the spotlight off of Devin Booker on the offensive end and allowing his playmaking (just under nine assists per contest) to get Booker and Deandre Ayton better looks.

He is having an inefficient season from the field in 2020-21 but playing on the NBA’s most hapless franchise likely has something to do with it. Perhaps he can enjoy a renaissance in Beantown.

Jake Layman is a wing who the Houdini has long seen as a potential fit in Boston. Making a modest $3.7 million, he brings veteran value at a rookie-scale contract rate.

Finally, Jarred Vanderbilt is a per-36 minute force (12 points, 11 rebounds) and would bring an adept ability to finish around the rim and the defensive awareness to block a shot here or there–including one against Zion Williamson in Minnesota’s victory over New Orleans on January 23rd.

Why the Minnesota Timberwolves do it

Minnesota is on the way to yet another basement finish in the Western Conference, but their pick could fall out of their possession if they fail to have lottery luck in the 2021 NBA Draft lottery.

The Timberwolves might as well acquire anything of value from the pieces that might not necessarily be on the roster when the rebuild is further along.