Over the past few months, Boston Celtics fans have wondered which player(s) Brad Stevens could bring them ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA Trade Deadline -- akin to how children spend weeks wondering what Santa will bring them for Christmas.
Much like the advertisements for the hot new toys, the names that have become available leading up to the deadline have become increasingly intriguing. First, the Cs were linked to Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, then to Memphis Grizzlies big man Jarren Jackson Jr.
Though there’s been no real link to Boston, fans have started to dream even bigger with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo all but requesting a trade this week.
It just feels like something is coming with how well the Celtics have played to this point. They have the financial flexibility to make a move for the first time in a while, even if it’s just something along the fringes, as Stevens has shown a willingness to do in the past.
In an ESPN intel drop, NBA insiders Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps shared that there’s an expectation that Stevens will do some sort of deal over the next week.
“Throughout his tenure as president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens has repeatedly found ways to improve at the trade deadline -- even if just in the margins. Sources expect that to continue,” the duo wrote Friday.
In 2024, Stevens added both Jaden Springer and Xavier Tillman Sr., then offloaded Springer a year later to shed some luxury tax dollars. He’s not afraid to make tweaks where he sees fit.
Any 'huge swing' sounds like it's off the table for the Celtics
Tweaks are one thing. A big swing is another.
Despite the buzz about the aforementioned trio of frontcourt players, the pair of ESPN insiders isn’t forecasting a blockbuster-type move for Boston.
“Guard Anfernee Simons, who has had impressive moments for the Celtics but is on a $27 million expiring contract, would be the most likely candidate to be moved if Stevens makes a move that requires matching a larger salary,” they shared. “And though sources think Boston would target frontcourt size, huge swings for stars such as Antetokounmpo or Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. seem unlikely.”
Though it may be disappointing to some fans, this news shouldn’t come as a surprise. Both Jackson Jr. and Antetokounmpo are impressive players, with the latter being one of the all-time greats. Both men also make a ton of money.
Jackson Jr.’s contract bumps up by $14 million next season, as he begins the first year of his $205 million extension. Finding a way to balance the pay bump with Boston’s already stacked payroll would be difficult. They just gutted their roster to avoid the second apron. If they added Jackson Jr., they’d jump back up over it immediately.
Antetokounmpo is another story. While his contract is of similar stature, there is no increase. It presents a different challenge. His tremendous talent and importance to the Bucks, combined with his $54 million salary makes the road to getting a deal done more difficult.
Any hypothetical swap would almost certainly cost the Celtics Jaylen Brown and a handful of draft picks. You could talk yourself into it, but Giannis has seen an uptick in injuries over the past few seasons. Boston would be mortgaging a lot to land him.
Plus, trading away Simons, who was once thought as a guaranteed salary dump, isn't such an easy decision anymore. He's proven to be a legitimate rotation piece for Boston over the past month, as he continues to embrace his bench role and work towards becoming a better defender.
As Bontemps and Windhorst outlined, something smaller feels more likely. What exactly that means should be answered over the next week or so.