Not too long after the Atlanta Hawks waived Devin Carter, NBA Insider Jake Fischer reported that the Boston Celtics will be interested in the former lottery pick once he clears waivers. There's a very compelling case for why Boston should add Carter if and when he clears waivers, but since his value was low enough for him to be waived, why not trade for him?
The Hawks elected to swallow his salary whole, but they likely canvassed the league first before straight-up dumping him, and the entire league told them no. In Boston's case, they probably wanted him because they could get him for cheap, but also because acquiring his deal puts them over the luxury tax line.
The Celtics have made it their duty to get under the tax line this summer. From waiving Dalano Banton to Paul George waiving his trade kicker, they have made a concerted effort to stay under the tax line. They are doing this to reset the repeater tax, which can pay off big time in the long run.
Boston is only $1.7 million below the tax line, and acquiring Carter - who will make over $5 million this season - would have gotten in the way of that.
Sure, they could have acquired Carter and resolve that issue down the line, but teams would have taken advantage of their desperation if it came to that.
Why signing Carter would be much easier
While Boston risks having to get Carter in a potential bidding war once he clears waivers, this could work in their favor. Again, if he really had that much value, the Hawks would have found a suitor for him - remember that Sacramento straight-up dumped him to Atlanta - or they would have kept him.
He is still eligible for a two-way deal, which would work perfectly for Boston because those don't work against the cap for Boston. Better yet, what they could do is sign him to it with the expectation of converting that deal to a long-term contract down the line this coming season.
Basically, signing him allows Boston to have their cake and eat it too. They get a player that could very well be the perfect fit under Joe Mazzulla, and doing so won't have to interfere with the luxury tax line that would interfere with their long-term plans if crossed.
This is all contingent on Carter actually joining the Celtics, which we won't know for sure until he clears waivers, but this is a perfect opportunity to find another diamond in the rough.
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