The 2022 NBA trade deadline is less than a month away, and the Boston Celtics are projected to be one of the more active teams. But what sort of players ought they be looking to bring onto the roster, and just how plausible are any of them to actually end up with Boston once Feb. 10 comes and goes?
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz asked himself this question for all 30 teams, trying to determine what they would need from a deal at the deadline and came up with three such targets for each team.
With a deal for a dream target, a realistic target and a sneaky target, let’s take a look at the targets Swartz has in mind for Boston. We’ll also take a look at the players from Boston’s roster other teams might be after in this article’s estimation.
WATCH: Are the Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings potential trade partners? https://t.co/k9jm7pcMAu
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 25, 2022
Boston's sneaky target
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Here, Swartz thinks the Celtics ought to go after shooting guard Ben McLemore of the Portland Trail Blazers.
“McLemore is the most affordable of the three on a $2.4 million expiring deal, and he is hitting 39.% of his 3s for Portland,” writes the B/R analyst.
“While he’s not much of a defender or playmaker, even his shooting could make a big difference for this offense.”
The Celtics' realistic target
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Could Eric Gordon make sense in green and white for Boston? Swartz believes he could be a solid pickup for the team.
“Gordon has also been one of the best floor-spacers this season (46.1%, second-highest overall) and could play a variety of roles in Boston,” he explains.
“He could start in a backcourt with Marcus Smart or come off the bench as the team’s sixth man. Gordon would give the Celtics another scoring option and help take pressure off Tatum and Brown.”
Boston's dream target
AP Photo/John Bazemore
Given the rumbles we’ve heard out of the Atlanta Hawks, we agree with the B/R writer that John Collins is potentially on the move — but would the Cs have what it takes to land him?
“Collins has become one of the best 3-point shooting big men in the NBA (42.9%, top 10 among all players), one who can also play the pick-and-roll and throw down some devastating dunks,” notes Swartz. “He’s in the first season of a five-year, $125 million contract, yet his future in Atlanta is in doubt.”
“Putting Collins on the floor with Tatum, Brown, and Robert Williams III would be a tremendously talented Big Four of players who are all 25 and under and can’t become free agents until 2024 or later,” he suggests.
Boston's target for the Atlanta Hawks
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
For Swartz, Atlanta should call about Marcus Smart for a realistic target.
“Smart can be traded after Jan. 25 after signing a four-year, $77 million extension in August, and he remains one of the better backcourt stoppers in the NBA,” suggests the B/R writer.
“He’s also a good enough distributor to allow Young to play off the ball more and get the young superstar some catch-and-shoot opportunities.”
The Celtics target for the Denver Nuggets
AP Photo/Michael Dwyer
Here, Swartz sees veteran guard Dennis Schroder as a sneaky target for the Nuggets.
“If Denver wants to acquire another ball-handler while Murray recovers, Schroder ($5.9 million) would be easy to get in terms of matching salary,” writes the author.
“He’s giving Boston 16.1 points and 4.7 assists per game both as a starter and sixth man.”
Boston's target for the Golden State Warriors
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Again Swartz sees Smart as a target, this time with the Dubs.
“Golden State should check in on Smart’s availability, especially since the Celtics seem interested in getting below the luxury-tax line,” he suggests.
“Adding another elite defender for a title run would help separate the Warriors from other top contenders, especially when teams try to hunt Stephen Curry defensively.”
The Celtics target for the Memphis Grizzlies
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Try not to fault Swartz for suggesting the Griz’ dream target would be Jaylen Brown — in itself, the designation acknowledges the unlikeliness of it.
“Would the Celtics actually trade Brown at this point? Probably not,” he suggests. “Should the Grizzlies still make a phone call to Brad Stevens and check on his availability to make sure? Absolutely.”
Memphis is the most surprising team in the NBA this season and should be a buyer at the deadline, even if this squad is still years from hitting its collective prime. Brown, 25, would be the perfect mixture of a star ready to win now who’s also still growing.”
“The Grizzlies also have three first-round picks in 2022 and a lot of young talent to offer either directly to Boston or in a three-team deal,” Swartz adds.
Boston's target for the Washington Wizards
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Here, the owner of Boston’s longest 3-point cold streak is of interest to the Wiz as a sneaky target … for his 3-point shooting. We are, of course, speaking of Grant Williams here.
“Williams is an under-the-radar big man who the Wizards should be monitoring,” suggests Swartz.
“The 23-year-old is connecting on 41.7% of his 3s for Boston, yet he has mostly come off the bench in favor of Al Horford.”
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
