In case any Boston Celtics fan doesn't know by now, trade exceptions don't typically lead to teams getting high-value players. Even when they do, it's typically a mere technicality used to create another trade exception.
For example, when the Boston Celtics traded Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic, they technically absorbed Vucevic using the exception they created from the Kristaps Porzingis trade. That's, in fact, how they created the Simons TPE in the first place.
But if Boston is serious about using that TPE, they shouldn't anticipate getting anyone of value directly from it. The times where they've tried led to Evan Fournier and Josh Richardson. But hey, the latter played a role in how they got their hands on Derrick White.
And that's exactly what the Simons TPE can do. Get the Celtics the player who can get them someone as impactful as White. But that player has to be seen as expendable by his current team that they'll be more than happy to let Boston take him off their hands, like Dallas did with Richardson.
There is a player who fits that bill better than anyone in the NBA right now: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The two-time NBA Champion (one of which came with the Los Angeles Lakers) has no place on the rebuilding Memphis Grizzlies, and it appears all sides are aware of this. He didn't have an exit interview after their season ended, but he's got a pretty straightforward decision to make this summer: opting into his $21.6 million contract for next season.
No Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ja Morant or Brandon Clarke at exit interviews today.
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) April 13, 2026
At this stage of his career, he's not seeing that money annually anymore, so even if Memphis has no use for him, it's still a good paycheck that he definitely won't see on the open market.
Once he opts in, Boston should pounce
No, Celtics fans, we're not going to insult your intelligence here. From a basketball perspective, Boston has about as much need for KCP as Memphis does. Regardless of how their upcoming playoff run turns out, the Celtics roster is very much set for next year, and that's especially the case at the wing position, so there would be no minutes for him whatsoever.
However, that $21.6 million will come in handy when Boston starts looking for some upgrades around their roster. Especially when the restriction against being aggregated expires two months later. KCP is still a solid player who could fit into a playoff team's rotation, but unfortunately for him, his best value currently comes from being on an expiring contract.
It's hard to say who Boston should look for if and when they get their hands on KCP or someone who fits the same specific label as him (the others who come to mind are players like DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Kuzma). However, Brad Stevens has never run out of surprises since taking over as GM, and there's no reason for him to stop now.
It's far from guaranteed that Stevens would do specifically this, but trading for KCP wouldn't surprise anyone with what Stevens has done in the past.
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