Frontcourt, frontcourt, frontcourt. That’s basically all we’ve heard about the Boston Celtics’ trade deadline plans to this point. Just about every name linked to Boston over the past few months has been a big man.
It makes sense, right? The Celtics have relied heavily on Neemias Queta and Luka Garza to fill the center minutes this season. Though both men have delivered, adding more depth couldn’t hurt.
Perhaps, Boston’s plans span beyond just depth. They have Anfernee Simons’ $27 million contract to use in any larger-scale move. According to The Athletic’s Jay King, the Celtics are “exploring paths” to use Simons to bolster their center rotation.
“As much as the Celtics value Simons and the way he has fit in, the reality is that his role would also change if Tatum returns this season,” King wrote Tuesday. “In that scenario, Boston would have less of a need for Simons’ scoring. The team is exploring paths to swap Simons and potentially draft capital for a big man, according to league sources.”
Jarrett Allen is a possible Celtics trade target that no one is talking about
One name to watch could be Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, the Cavs have been willing to move Allen this season, with the goal of loosening up the financial bind they find themselves in.
“[Cleveland’s] second-apron status has been well chronicled, but league sources say they’ve explored ways of trading the contract of big man Jarrett Allen ($90.7 million combined in the next three seasons) as a way of unlocking much bigger possibilities,” Amick wrote Tuesday. “That situation is worth monitoring, if only because moving Allen would expand their list of dreamy possibilities.”
It’s worth noting that Boston and Cleveland wouldn’t be able to do a straight-up swap involving Allen and Simons. The Cavs are a second-apron team, meaning they’re unable to take back more salary than they send out in any trade. Basically, they’d have to find a third team to help make the financials work.
As for Allen’s fit with the Celtics, he’d instantly become the team’s starting center. The former All-Star big man is having a solid season with the Cavs, posting 14.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game on 60.5% from the field. Plus, he averages nearly two combined steals and blocks per outing.
Allen’s health is another reason why Boston could feel confident in him. He’s missed 12 games this season, but in the three prior, he sat out just 19 times combined. Not to mention that he’s under contract through the end of the 2028-29 campaign, earning an annual average of $30.2 million.
Sure, it’s not a cheap contract, but it’s also not bad for the 27-year-old.
To be clear, there’s been no reporting linking Allen to Boston. With the context clues, however, it wouldn’t necessarily be shocking to see the two teams work on a deal. In addition, since Brad Stevens has taken over as President of Basketball Operations in Boston, any trade he’s orchestrated hasn’t been leaked prior.
No one knew Anfernee Simons was an option when the team was looking to move Jrue Holiday last summer. No one was talking about the Atlanta Hawks as the landing spot for Kristaps Porzingis. The list goes on.
Those are just a few things to keep in mind as the deadline grows closer.