If the trade price for Jakob Poeltl becomes too high for the Boston Celtics, there could be alternatives with lower ceilings but who could still provide many of the same functions the San Antonio Spurs center would provide in small spurts off the pine.
Inside The Celtics’ Bobby Krivitsky provided a few names who could fit into the C’s trade plan if the news that Payton Pritchard won’t be traded doesn’t hold true ahead of the February 9 trade deadline.
Among them? Minnesota Timberwolves backup big Naz Reid, Charlotte Hornets starting center Mason Plumlee, and Utah Jazz starting combo big Kelly Olynyk:
"“While Jakob Poeltl is likely to cost more than what Boston will or should pay for a rental, centers that fit the bill include Naz Reid, who’s producing 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and a block per game for the Timberwolves. Mason Plumlee, who’s generating 10.5 points, 9.2 boards, and 3.7 assists for the Hornets.”“And old friend Kelly Olynyk, who’s averaging 12.6 points, hoisting 3.5 threes and converting them at a 42.6 percent clip, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists for a Utah Jazz team with considerable flexibility between now and the trade deadline.”"
What it would take for the Boston Celtics to land each target
The most expensive trade target of the bunch would likely be Mason Plumlee, who is putting up a near-double-double as Charlotte’s primary pivot this season. While the Hornets are going nowhere fast as owners of the Eastern Conference’s second-worst record, there could be a market for the impending unrestricted free agent for fellow contenders like the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, who could have a need for another rim-protector.
Kelly Olynyk, who has been functional as the starting center for Utah for the majority of the 2022-23 season, should be more gettable because of the presence of Danny Ainge in the Jazz front office. Utah was once among the top teams in the Western Conference but have fallen off, making him more gettable.
Considering Naz Reid’s recent comments seemingly directed at Rudy Gobert that appear to blame the French center in some capacity for Minnesota’s struggles, the Timberwolves big could be pushing for a trade for more playing time — and dropping his price by talking about it at all.