Boston Celtics: This Dennis Schroder Phoenix Suns trade adds young big, vet wing

It truly feels like it’s only a matter of time before the Boston Celtics finally deal Dennis Schroder after signing him to a one-year taxpayer’s MLE this past summer.

It’d make sense to keep Schroder if the Cs were in the mix for a top seed in the Eastern Conference. The German floor general would make sense to have if Boston was going all-in on this season’s end result.

But that isn’t the case. In fact, it’s feasible that for the second straight NBA trade deadline, this team would be selling. If you’ve been paying attention to the Houdini in recent weeks, you’d that we’ve been preparing for Schroder to be the first one out the door in that scenario.

Well, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer gave a very interesting insight into recent Jalen Smith-to-the-Celtics talks, and it appears as though Schroder’s name was involved:

"“I have good reason to believe that was the offer that Boston made. I don’t know for sure if it was a firm offer, but I think Dennis would be the clear outgoing piece since their salaries match and Boston is looking to offload him.”"

So, it’s clear that there’s smoke involving the 28-year-old Schroder and the 21-year-old Smith. Boston didn’t bite on that offer, but perhaps they could go for this one instead:

Why the Boston Celtics do it

Jalen Smith was someone my coeditor Mark Nilon had his eyes on throughout the lead-in to the 2020 draft, but he ended up buried on the Phoenix depth chart behind Deandre Ayton and Frank Kaminsky last season, and then Ayton, JaVale McGee, and eventually Bismack Biyombo this season.

On the Boston Celtics depth chart, it could only end up being Enes Kanter Freedom that he’d be competing with. This deal eliminates one of the only other options (Bruno Fernando) and Ime Udoka seems set on slotting Al Horford at the 4.

Abdel Nader may not play again this season, but he’s on the books next year at a near-minimum rate. He spent his first season in the pros with Boston back during the team’s 2018 Eastern Conference finals run, so he’s proven to be conducive to a winning environment at the TD Garden.

The future second-round draft pick is the cherry on top of this trade Sunday that ultimately gets this deal done.

Why the Phoenix Suns do it

Adding Dennis Schroder to the second unit ensures that the Suns are fully covered behind Chris Paul at the point guard position. Cam Payne’s shooting has fallen off this season, but perhaps Schroder attracting defensive attention could allow Payne’s efficiency to rise.

Bruno Fernando is merely a salary filler who likely gets canned given the aforementioned depth in the Phoenix frontcourt.