There isn’t much the Boston Celtics can do at this year’s trade deadline. They have so much money on the books and such little wiggle room that any sort of major deal is almost impossible. But just because it’s not going to be easy doesn’t mean the Celtics are going to sit idly by and do nothing.
In fact, there have been minor rumblings all season that the Celtics could either look to make a small move or simply dump salary to lessen their tax bill. While it may not be major, some sort of move seems conceivable, and a recent rumor could be ideal.
It’s a rumor that would solve a big problem in Boston, as well as their biggest current dilemma.
Celtics are interested in a Guerschon Yabusele trade
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Celtics are one of a few teams that have expressed an interest in trading for Philadelphia 76ers big man Guerschon Yabusele.
“Several teams have expressed interest in trading for Yabusele, including the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and others, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote.
A Yabusele reunion would definitely appeal to the Celtics fanbase, but it would also clear the air in a couple of key areas for Boston.
Yabusele would give Celtics new look at the center spot
The big problem Yabusele would solve is their current lack of a true backup stretch four. Al Horford is missing more and more games, and Kristaps Porzingis can only play so much with his injury history.
Adding Yabusele would give Boston another at the five that’s not Luke Kornet or Neemias Queta off the bench. Plus, he could probably play some power-forward minutes (or double-big minutes), too.
He would give the Celtics an added layer of flexibility at the five.
Celtics could trade Xavier Tillman instead of Jaden Springer
The even bigger dilemma that trading for Yabusele would solve is the Jaden Springer problem. Springer’s recent play has made whether or not the Celtics should trade him (which they have tried to do in the past) a real question.
Boston’s position as a second-apron team means that they would have to send out Springer’s contract in most deals that would bring back a meaningful player. But that’s not the case with Yabusele.
He makes little enough money to where the Celtics could trade Xavier Tillman and second-rounders instead, which would allow them to keep Springer.
Boston gets a backup big and gets to keep Springer. Trading for Yabusele would be a win for the Celtics on so many levels.
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