The Boston Celtics have not gotten off to an ideal start thus far in 2022-23, mainly due to their pair of losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers, both in overtime. Robert Williams’ absence is one of the root causes of Boston’s struggles, but there’s a general lack of rotational talent right now as the team tries to get over several injuries across the roster.
While not nearly as impactful as the loss of ‘The Timelord,’ it’s been a tough go on the wing without Danilo Gallinari. So far, the Cs have been forced to play Sam Hauser and Noah Vonleh in minutes at the 3 and 4 to fill the void left by Gallo’s ACL tear.
If the team can’t keep up in the increasingly competitive Eastern Conference, it’s entirely possible Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens will continue his crafty ways and make a move for a wing that could more capably spell Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown when the star duo takes a breather or has a night off.
Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija, the No. 9 overall pick during the 2020 NBA Draft, was recently floated as an option during MassLive reporter Brian Robb’s latest Celtics Mailbag by a reader. Averaging under 5 points per game and shooting 40% from the field, his growth may just be stifled in the nation’s capital. Would the Cs consider a deal?
Yes, but at the right price as Robb explains:
"“As a top-10 pick in 2020, the Wizards aren’t going to give him away and give his lack of a proven jump shot (31 percent from 3), I just don’t know if he’s a significant upgrade over guys like Sam Hauser at this stage of his career. If the Wizards are asking for real value for him (first round pick or Pritchard), I don’t do it. In that spot, the Celtics should be seeking out a more proven commodity given the team’s aspirations.”"
The best trade package the Boston Celtics can offer
Assuming the Boston Celtics wouldn’t deal away their rotation’s top 8 — that being last year’s starting 5 plus Derrick White, Grant Williams, and Malcolm Brogdon — the most talked about package would be Payton Pritchard, Danilo Gallinari’s dead money, and draft picks.
If that package can get a combo forward or a legitimate rim-protecting pivot, the Cs owe it to the current core to complement them with another true rotational player if things don’t improve by the December 15 moratorium lifting of contracts signed this past offseason.