Boston Celtics may explore trade for big defensive wing given reserve’s struggles

For a large portion of the 2022-23 season, the Boston Celtics appeared to have minimal issues with their roster — but, as the long and grueling 82-game slate often does, the narrative has pivoted.

Once upon a time, the Cs had role players who were filling in and doing the trick given the temporary absence of Robert Williams III and the more permanent absence of Danilo Gallinari. Then, the calendar turned to December and holes were poked all over the roster after Boston lost games on the west coast and at home against teams out of the playoff picture.

While the big man rotation could be addressed with 10-day contracts, finding an ideal complement on the wing to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is a bit more of a difficult task. NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg believes Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens could be in the market for a big defensive-minded wing because of the struggles of Sam Hauser, the shooting specialist whose shooting efficiency has fallen off a cliff after the first quarter of the season concluded:

"“…Stevens will think a little harder about a potential move to add a big wing before February’s trade deadline. Hauser can aid his own case with a January surge but his court time is eroding and it appears he has to re-earn Mazzulla’s trust.”“Hauser’s offensive ceiling, based on the early season returns, is probably much higher than most players the Celtics can reasonably fetch on the trade or buyout market. But could Mazzulla trust Hauser to hold up, particularly on the defensive end, in even bite-sized playoff minutes? For the moment, the answer is no.”"

Who the Boston Celtics can target on the trade market on the wing

When it comes to wings available to the Boston Celtics, there are a few that could cost them a few assets, but could also swiftly put many doubts fans may have to bed.

The top option on the market is Alec Burks, but the Detroit Pistons may ask for a pretty penny due to wanting veterans like Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic to help bring their young guns along. Elsewhere, Cody Martin could potentially be had from the Charlotte Hornets, a team seemingly on the brink of a teardown.