Boston Celtics: 3 expiring contracts the Cs should trade for
By Chris Conte
Trade target #2 for the Boston Celtics: Larry Nance Jr.
With the addition of Al Horford and the departure of Tristan Thompson and Moses Brown, it seems contradictory to say the Boston Celtics should pursue another big. However, unlike Tristan Thompson and Moses Brown, Larry Nance Jr has impeccable abilities, which allow him to shuffle between the four and the five.
These abilities include: 36% shooting on catch and shoot threes, exceptional vision and touch, dual-threat rolling as a scorer and passer, elite finishing, 68% shooting from 0-3 feet, and fringe All-Defense level production on the flip side of the ball.
Nance pairs well with Al Horford and Robert Williams because he can share the court with either, something Brown nor Thompson could do due to their lack of polish offensively. Ime Udoka can play around with Nance or Horford at the five and the other at the four, Nance at the four, Williams at the five, Nance at the five, and Tatum at the four.
The possibilities are endless, but what’s important is they all benefit the Celtics in some way, and they certainly don’t limit anyone’s production. Nance’s versatility is something the Celts need off the bench if they want to contend and be a high-caliber defense.
The tricky part about Nance is he is not expiring, which makes it a gamble as to whether or not the Cs will pursue him. He’s owed $10.6 million this season and $9.6 million after that; then, he hits free agency at 30 years old.
His deal being so cheap makes me believe the Celtics will take a swing at him, and the Cavaliers treating him like salary filler means he’s even more likely to be traded for less than his value should demand. If you can get a guy like Nance for nothing for than a TPE, then you go for it, no questions asked.