Boston Celtics: 3 TPE targets that would be perfect complements to Jays

For the second time in as many consecutive years, the Boston Celtics find themselves heading into the upcoming campaign in possession of several Traded Player Exceptions, with their biggest of the bunch measuring in at a worth of up to $17 million.

Acquired through numerous transactions over the last several months, the Cs now have the ability to bring on numerous players by means of these aforementioned luxuries and, in turn, can continue to bolster this already revamped roster throughout the year.

Be it via their lowly Tristan Thompson TPE (worth $5 million) or their high-priced Evan Fournier exception, since receiving these luxuries fans and media alike have seemingly been non-stop in regard to concocting ways in which the front office could use them in an effort to bring on some quality rotational pieces.

From potential franchise building blocks to high-quality veteran role players, we’ve seen a plethora of names mentioned as possible TPE targets for the franchise.

However, in the end, the main priority for Brad Stevens and co. should be to try and attain players that will help make the lives of cornerstones Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown easier when on the hardwood.

With this, today we present to you 3 players, in specific, that we believe could prove to be perfect complements to Jays within the rotation:

Boston Celtics TPE target No. 1) Dejounte Murray

Dejounte Murray was someone we at the Houdini talked about quite often last season, as we believed he would have been a tremendous grab for the Boston Celtics last season with their record-breaking Gordon Hayward TPE.

Heading into this year we still view the fifth-year veteran to be a stellar target to pursue, and what with the fact that his 2021-22 salary is $15.4 million, he could actually wind up being acquired via the Fournier exception.

Improving every year that he’s been healthy — missed the entirety of the 2018-19 season due to a torn ACL –, last year the point guard went about and had his best all-around statistical season since being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs back in 2016.

Through 67 games played, Murray posted impressive per-game averages of 15.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.5 steals on 45 percent shooting from deep.

Though perhaps not the most skilled shooter (shoots a career average of 33 percent from deep), on a team chock full of capable floor spacers such as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, and Aaron Nesmith (just to name a few), they wouldn’t really need him to snipe it home from 3-point land.

Instead, the shamrocks could use for a two-way floor general who’s more focused on finding his teammates easy looks at a bucket, stopping his assignment from scoring when on defense, and doing the behind-the-scenes grinding that doesn’t always get properly noticed within the box score.

Dejounte Murray is that type of guy and, based on how the rumor mill has been this offseason, he could wind up being attainable at some point between now and the trade deadline.

Considering his specific playstyle coupled with his ripe young age of 25, not only do we believe the guard would be a great compliment for the Jays in the immediate future but also moving forward through their career as well.