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B/R: Boston Celtics “doing this wrong” if they don’t inquire about sharpshooting vet

By Andrew Hughes

Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley believes that if the Boston Celtics aren't discussing a deal for Spurs wing Doug McDermott, they are "doing this wrong" Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley believes that if the Boston Celtics aren't discussing a deal for Spurs wing Doug McDermott, they are "doing this wrong" Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley has a strong opinion about the Boston Celtics pursuing Spurs sharpshooter Doug McDermott — claiming that the Cs are simply “doing this wrong” if they are not at least discussing a swap with San Antonio.

Buckley believes Boston had already filled the void for a 3-point specialist on the wing with the signing of Danilo Gallinari over the offseason and the promotion of Sam Hauser into Gallo’s role once the Italian forward went down with an ACL tear, but Hauser’s shooting woes — going from a 40+% long-range gunner to one converting at a clip below league average — now have the Celtics looking for another similar player. Enter the 41% career 3-point shooter McDermott.

McDermott’s case to be the perfect fitting wing both behind and alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown was made by Buckley:

"“(McDermott’s) a savvy enough mover off the ball that he could find his footing alongside Boston’s stars and a good enough inside-the-arc scorer to maintain value even when opponents run him off the three-point line.”"

What the Boston Celtics would need to give up for Doug McDermott

As was pointed out by CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn, more than likely, McDermott’s price tag is too high for the Boston Celtics to pay. There are no traded player exceptions large enough to absorb his $13.75 million salary, and there is no justification for giving up guys like Payton Pritchard or Grant Williams — who both have more value to the Celtics at this point considering McDermott’s lack of postseason experience beyond the second round.

But, there are two scenarios not involving any valuable young player that put a McDermott deal on the table. The first is a trade that combines Danilo Gallinari’s dead money deal to several salary fillers (Luke Kornet, Blake Griffin, Justin Jackson) and several future draft picks. That would require the Spurs to cut several minimum salaries and the Celtics to fill out the roster due to all the outgoing trade pieces. The second would involve routing Derrick White to a third team considering his similar salary.

Neither is likely. Brad Stevens and Brian Wright will talk about McDermott, but nothing will get done.

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