Each and every season, there is a date that marks the unofficial start of NBA trade season. This year, it will be December 15. It’s the date when almost all of the players who signed contracts in free agency are eligible to be traded, freeing up teams to be a bit more flexible with the moves they want to make—even if they (the Boston Celtics) probably won’t make any big moves.
The Celtics have enjoyed a successful start to the year once again and will undoubtedly be eyeing Banner 19 down the stretch. Last year, they made a couple of minor moves at the deadline, and they could do the same this year, but a huge trade is very unlikely.
That said, Boston does have a few players who will become newly trade-eligible on December 15.
When the date comes around, Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta will be officially eligible to get traded.
Luke Kornet
So far this year, Kornet has been great in spots. That said, he’s also been out of the rotation at times. Thus is the life of a backup platoon center.
Whenever Kornet gets his opportunity, he plays solid defense, sets some of the best screens on the team, and finishes well around the rim. He’s a very dependable big man.
It doesn’t seem very likely that the Celtics trade Kornet this year. They know what they have in him, and he’s only on a one-year contract. He’ll likely be with Boston the entire season.
Neemias Queta
When Kornet doesn’t get in the game, it’s because of Neemias Queta. The Portuguese big man has improved a ton this season, and he’s been earning more opportunities because of it.
Queta still runs into some problems defending on the perimeter and with his fouling, but those concerns have been lessened. His impact around the rim on both ends (and his quietly improved passing) far outweighs those concerns.
Considering he signed a multi-year deal and has shown a ton of improvement this season, don’t expect Boston to trade Queta.
Xavier Tillman
This is the most interesting trade option of the bunch, as Xavier Tillman has looked rough this season. After a promising preseason, it looks as though Tillman has lost all confidence in his offensive game.
Whenever he gets open behind the three-point line, Tillman record-scratches, drives, and often turns the ball over. It’s been a tough start to the year, and he slowly fell out of the rotation.
Trading Tillman could be an option if Boston wants to get some extra cap flexibility, but doing so by trading Jaden Springer seems more likely. Tillman is the most likely to go, but it feels as though the Celtics still like him enough to keep him around.