Boston Celtics: 3 Cs who could be traded next after Juancho Hernangomez addition

Boston Celtics PF/C Bruno Fernando

The Houdini has long thought that Bruno Fernando’s Summer League performance gave him an edge to play alongside the other second unit blue chippers in spurts this season.

Unfortunately, things may have changed now with Juan Hernangomez in the lineup. Al Horford needs minutes, and Hernangomez isn’t going to be making $7 million to sit on the bench. Another roster crunch could be coming, because the name of the game is late-in-the-game free agent signings.

Fernando has been unspectacular during his two years in Atlanta, and given Kris Dunn’s recent departure, it’s looking like that deal was done simply to rid Tristan Thompson of the roster. Stevens would know firsthand just how much of a distraction his off-court antics might have been.

Summer League is certainly not the end-all, be-all considering the rapid turnover that results. If a team out there liked what they saw, it stands to reason that Fernando could be used to restore the draft pick stockpile after Stevens emptied the treasure chest this summer.

With Robert Williams, Al Horford (can’t see him at PF anymore with Hernangomez), and Enes Kanter all ahead of him, it’s an uphill climb. It may be less steeper elsewhere, where his development can be prioritized.

The win-now mission of 2021-22 may squeeze Fernando out of a role.