Boston Celtics: 3-for-1 trade proposal would add veteran backup center

Between now and the February 9 trade deadline, sites all over the web (including this one) will be mocking up hypothetical trade proposals that bring the Boston Celtics a third big man to complement Robert Williams III and Al Horford.

Boston.com’s Peyton Doyle recently came up with a list of big men the Cs could pursue if — though truthfully the apt term is when — they miss out on Jakob Poeltl due to the demand from the San Antonio Spurs for two future first-round picks in return. Included on his list are several long-time targets, one being Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba and the other being Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers.

The third target, Sacramento Kings benched big man Richaun Holmes, was someone Doyle came up with a trade proposal. Here’s the 3-for-1 scenario he came up with to bring Holmes to the Boston Celtics:

"“Holmes has another year left on his contract at $12 million, plus a player option for the 2024-25 season. A combination of Pritchard, Jackson, and Gallinari would allow the Celtics to match it without using a trade exception.”"

Richaun Holmes could be worth the price for the Boston Celtics

A quick look at Richaun Holmes’ counting stats for the 2022-23 season would make just about anyone question why the Celtics would give up their most recent first-round pick whose been shooting efficiently since coming into to the league.

What a potential Holmes for Payton Pritchard swap comes down to is whether or not the Cs want to fill a potential hole with a more accomplished option than Luke Kornet. If it doesn’t include any draft capital, perhaps they should.

Holmes’ per-36 minute stats, while not truly indicative of what Holmes would do in a featured role, reveal someone who produces as much as possible in the second unit role he’s played for all but the last three seasons before this one.

Pritchard may not have a role in the postseason unless there are several absences in the backcourt, but one big man injury would undo the entire frontcourt in a potential playoff series. That’s when Holmes would be a plus in the short-term.

Since Danilo Gallinari likely won’t return this season and Justin Jackson isn’t a keeper anyway, this deal gives Boston two chances to fill their final roster spots opened up in this deal with 10-day deals and buyout options. Sign the Houdini up if there’s no outbound draft capital involved.