The Boston Celtics stance on a Dillon Brooks trade in the offseason

Boston Celtics fans hoping the 26-year-old Dillon Brooks could eventually wear green in Beantown had some water poured on the fire by MassLive.

In his latest Boston Celtics Mailbag, Brian Robb answered a reader’s question about the Oregon product being a target with skepticism of a future move.

The reason? A lack of cap flexibility and a lack of need to pay Brooks big money for a backup role.

As Robb points out, Derrick White is in that role already:

"I’m not sure the Celtics will be in a spot where they are willing to pay Brooks’ big money to be a backup when they are already paying Derrick White a lot for a similar role. It’s probably not worth giving up a first round pick and losing more spending flexibility to play Brooks 15-20 minutes per game."

 The Boston Celtics would have to include Derrick White or Marcus Smart in any Dillon Brooks deal

Unless Dillon Brooks becomes a hero for the Memphis Grizzlies in the postseason, it doesn’t appear likely that Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens would hunt for a wing.

If he does, Derrick White is the most logical trade piece to be included in a swap. Marcus Smart would also make sense. Both were mentioned as potential Bradley Beal trade targets by Robb a few weeks back, but Beal appears set to remain with the Washington Wizards despite some chatter that the Philadelphia 76ers could pursue him as the third star next to James Harden and Joel Embiid.

If neither would be involved–and let’s not even get into Jaylen Brown Grizzlies trade scenarios–Brooks makes almost no sense, especially considering Memphis’ upward trajectory.

Still, Brooks is far from the worst fit next to the ‘Jays’ so never say never. Hardwood Houdini certainly isn’t.