The Boston Celtics have one of the most prized assets at their disposal — a $17.1 Million dollar trade player exception acquired last July in the Evan Fournier sign-and-trade to the New York Knicks. It’s been almost a year and the TPE expires on July 18th.
The clock is ticking as free agency approaches quickly. It appears Brad Stevens has been given free rein by Celtics ownership to spend money this summer to improve this team. The Cs are fresh off their first NBA finals berth since 2010 and took the dynastic Golden State Warriors to six games.
The improvements to completing the championship puzzle are apparent and hinge on adding depth. When Boston’s bench was held to a cumulative nine points in the last two finals games, it became all the more clear they are not deep enough to finish the job.
The rules for the TPE are pretty simple: other players can be traded with this asset but it cannot be combined with another TPE. The Boston Celtics have numerous trade player exceptions, so I felt clearing this up was important.
Stevens and co. can only acquire players that fit into that $17 million cushion. Boston can use part of the exception or the whole shebang. It is a luxury to have this in their arsenal to improve their bench.
The Boston Celtics have a recent history of making good use of their trade player exceptions, including when they acquired Evan Fournier at the trade deadline last year and used part of Tristan Thompson’s TPE to re-acquire Daniel Theis.
Here are three sleeper targets with the $17.1 million TPE for the Boston Celtics
Derrick Rose
The New York Knicks are looking to move off of their veteran guard, Derrick Rose in an effort to free up cap space in the pursuit of Jalen Brunson. The Boston Celtics need another capable playmaker/ball-handler at the guard spot.
The former MVP would bring a level of calmness and experience to a generally young Celtics team. Rose is 33 years old, but still has loads left in the tank after reviving his career with Minnesota, Detroit, and in his second stint in the big apple.
In limited games last season, D-Rose averaged 12 points, four assists, and three rebounds per game on 44% shooting overall, 40% on 3-pointers, and 97% from the stripe. He also has fewer than two giveaways a game in each of the last four seasons.
This addition would see the former All-Star return to the bench with the capability of scoring 10-15 points off the pine and steadying the ship when guys like Marcus Smart or the ‘Jays’ need a blow. One of the most intriguing aspects of the veteran’s game is his ability to increase his level of production in the playoffs.
He’s played in 51 career playoff games and in his most recent trip with the Knicks was their best player in that short five game stint averaging 19.4 points and five assists on a ridiculous 47% from distance.
The Celtics love to shoot the long-ball, often to their detriment, going through concerning cold spells in losses. Another sharpshooter is more than welcome.
Now, adding another PG does not mean he would replace Smart, but instead ease the pressure off him and others in the playmaking department. Basically, Rose is what Boston wanted when acquired German guard, Dennis Schroeder, but with a better attitude.