10 possible trade deadline targets for the Celtics

With the trade deadline quickly approaching, it is time to think about the potential moves that the Celtics can make this year. Last year’s deadline saw Brad Stevens make two moves in acquiring Jaden Springer and Xavier Tillman Sr. With the Celtics firmly over the second apron, a trade for a superstar or high-level role player is pretty much out of the question. And in terms of assets, Springer would be the best option to move as his $4 million expiring contract is the only real contract of value for Boston.

I believe these 10 players are some of the best options the Celtics could find that could make an impact at an affordable cost.

1. Walker Kessler

Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images

Jazz Receive: Jaden Springer, 2025 Celtics first round pick, 2027 first round pick, 2031 Celtics first round pick

Celtics Receive: Walker Kessler

Out of all the possible players that the Celtics can afford at the trade deadline this year, Walker Kessler is by far the most talented. The big man is having the best season of his career in his third season with the Utah Jazz, averaging 11.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks a game on a league leading 73% from the field.

With the Jazz actively trying to capture the (Cooper) Flagg, they will be looking to sell off pieces at the trade deadline and Kessler could possibly be in the fold. There were reports early in the season stating that Walker Kessler was on the trade block due to him not being Utah’s timeline for the future, but more recent discourse seemed to contradict these rumors.

According to Matt John of The J-Notes, “reports have indicated that the Jazz aren’t actively trying to trade him, but no intel has suggested that he is untouchable. A lot of mock trades have Kessler being used as a sweetener to get of bigger contracts Utah is trying to trade like John Collins.

Whether or not Kessler is actively on the market, old friend Danny Ainge will be looking to come out on top of a trade with Boston. I feel like sacrificing draft capital for a guy who can sure up the Celtics problems on defense and rebounding as well be a potential piece of a future core is worth looking in to but might end up being an unlikely fever dream.

2. Daniel Theis

Minnesota Timberwolves v New Orleans Pelicans

Pelicans Receive: Xavier Tillman Sr., 2030 Celtics second round pick

Celtics Receive: Daniel Theis

The Pelicans have a had a down year to say the least. Constant injuries to key players like Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones have been one of the main reasons as to why they find themselves second to last in the Western Conference standings. New Orleans could be looking to sell off some pieces this deadline and Daniel Theis has been one of the names that could be on the block.

Theis is averaging 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 16.3 minutes a game for the Pelicans coming off of the bench. This wouldn’t be the first time Theis has been a candidate to return the Celtics at the trade deadline; in 2022 he was a part of a deal that sent Dennis Schroder to the Houston Rockets in exchange for his return to Boston.

If the Celtics are looking for another backup big to come off of the bench alongside Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta, Theis would be a cheaper option they can explore at only $2 million. Daniel Theis is a player that already knows the Celtics organization so trading Tillman to bring him back would make the most sense here.

3. Javonte Green

Pelicans Receive: Xavier Tillman Sr., 2025 second round pick via DAL

Celtics Receive: Javonte Green

From one former Celtic on the Pelicans to another, Javonte Green has drawn a lot of interest from contending teams who are in a similar situation as Boston. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Bucks, Nuggets, and Knicks have been linked to potentially trading for Green’s services.

Javonte Green is averaging 6.2 points this season for New Orleans while also shooting 38% from three-point range. Green provides a lot of defensive energy and wing depth off of the bench that Boston could use to rest guys like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum during the game. Speaking of Tatum, when Javonte Green was in Boston, they were really good friends on and off the court.

Xavier Tillman Sr. has been a player Boston hasn’t really utilized at all this season and his salary would match up perfectly with Green’s $2 million salary if the Pelicans were interested. Jaden Springer could also take the place of Tillman in this trade but I’m not sure if that’s a move Boston wants to make.

4. Seth Curry

Hornets Receive: Xavier Tillman Sr., 2026 second round pick via POR

Celtics Receive: Seth Curry

Seth Curry has been a reliable bench piece for a long time now and is always a favorite to get moved at the deadline to a contender. Just like his brother, Curry is known for his three-point shooting prowess and has been a key contributor to teams that have made playoff runs in the past.

With the Hornets in another losing season, they will most likely look for more assets to move at the deadline this season. Curry is currently averaging 5.5 points with Charlotte this season, a down year on that front, but is still shooting the ball at 46% from three on 2.2 attempts per game.

With Sam Hauser having an up and down season due to injury, Curry could be a good veteran option Boston would be able to rely on. You can never have too much shooting coming off the bench if you are the Celtics and it could open up more opportunities to rest Jrue Holiday and Derrick White during a game. Curry is only making about $2 million so trading a contract like Tillman’s would make the most sense here unless Charlotte is looking for more of a younger asset in Springer.

5. Day’Ron Sharpe

Nets Receive: Jaden Springer, 2025 first round pick

Celtics Receive: Day’Ron Sharpe

Day’Ron Sharpe is a name that has been linked to Boston recently. On a recent episode of “The Kevin O’Connor Show”, KOC was talking about how the Celtics needed more depth behind Kristaps Porzingis at the center position and floated out Sharpe’s name calling it an “interesting” possibility.

In his fourth season with the Brooklyn Nets, Sharpe is currently averaging a career high 7.8 points while grabbing 6.3 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game off of the bench. Sharpe did miss the first 21 games of this season due to a left hamstring strain but has come back and played some solid minutes for Brooklyn. The Nets are tanking and Sharpe has been the name most likely to be moved at the deadline.

The Celtics big man depth has been a talking point for while now and Sharpe is a good option for Boston at his price point. Sharpe is making $3.9 million and would fit under Jaden Springer’s contract in a potential move.

6. Dariq Whitehead

Nets Receive: Jaden Springer, 2025 first round pick

Celtics Receive: Dariq Whitehead

Dariq Whitehead is another young asset on the Brooklyn that could be on the trade block. Whitehead has only played 8 games for the Nets this season averaging 4.5 points in 7 minutes a game and even asked to remain in the G League to get more opportunities to play.

Whitehead wouldn’t get many reps with the big club on the Celtics either, but I feel like this is a move for the future as he is only 20 years old. Whitehead is definitely a project but if Brooklyn wants to move off of him, Boston could scoop him up and develop him into a solid wing piece off the bench along the likes of Sam Hauser and Jordan Walsh.

7. Talen Horton-Tucker

Bulls Receive: Xavier Tillman Sr., 2030 second round pick

Celtics Receive: Talen Horton-Tucker

The Chicago Bulls have been straddling the line between contending and tanking for a few seasons now. They find themselves in a similar position this year as they are currently 10th in the East and this could be the year they finally ship everyone off to start a rebuild. Amongst the potential players that could be moved, Talen Horton-Tucker could be a nice fit in Boston.

Horton-Tucker is averaging 6 points a game on a career high 38.3% from three in his first season with the Bulls. He played a great game against the Celtics earlier this year on November 29th, scoring 16 points on 6-7 shooting and 4-4 from three. Horton-Tucker could be another solid depth piece for Boston coming off the bench and is only making $2 million which makes a swap between him and Tillman work financially.

8. Torrey Craig

Bulls Receive: Jaden Springer, 2026 second round pick

Celtics Receive: Torrey Craig

Another Chicago Bull that the Celtics could look to trade for this deadline is Torrey Craig. I feel like Torrey Craig is just one of those players that is always available to be traded at the deadline and for years I have always thought he would be a good fit in Boston. Craig has only played 9 games for Chicago this season but is still averaging 6.9 points on 43% shooting from three on 3.9 attempts per game.

Craig is 34 years old and has been a part of a NBA Finals team before in 2021 with the Phoenix Suns. In his one game against Boston this year he put up 11 points on 4-6 shooting from the field and 3-5 from three off of the bench. If the Bulls are serious about trading pieces off, the Celtics could benefit by picking up a veteran like Craig who makes $2.8 million.

9. Duop Reath

Trail Blazers Receive: Xavier Tillman Sr., 2026 second round pick, 2030 second round pick

Celtics Receive: Duop Reath

With the Portland Trail Blazers having a log jam at the center position, second year player Duop Reath hasn’t gotten the same opportunities to play like he did last season. After averaging 9.1 points in 18 minutes a night over 68 games for Portland last season, Reath’s numbers have taken a dip, as in 21 games this season, he is only averaging 2.4 points in 6 minutes per game.

Reath is a high energy, 6’11” center who got his first chance to play in the NBA last season. With the Trail Blazers most likely being sellers at the deadline, Reath could be an option Boston goes after for cheap center depth. I think he has a lot of potential to be a real diamond in the rough player coming off of the bench alongside Queta and Kornet. Tillman and multiple second round picks might be able to get the job done for a trade if the Celtics want to explore this route.

10. Julian Champagnie

Spurs Receive: Jaden Springer, 2031 first round pick

Celtics Receive: Julian Champagnie

This final trade proposal for the Celtics is the move that is the least likely to happen but it would be one of the best fits for the team. According to SB Nation’s article, “30 players most likely to be moved at the NBA trade deadline,” it talks about the Spurs most likely looking to make smaller moves at the deadline. With Julian Champagnie only making $3 million this year, San Antonio could look to cash in on his impressive start to the season by trading him to a contender like the Celtics.

Champagnie is having a career year for the San Antonio Spurs this season, averaging 11 points on 37% shooting from three on 6.6 attempts per game. Boston needs more impact players off of the bench and Champagnie could be the best affordable option at the deadline this year. Springer would be the best contract to move and although it’s risky trading a first round pick so far into the future, it’s the price Boston might have to pay if they want to acquire a legitimate role player.

As I said before, this is the least likely trade that happens at the deadline, but it would be my dream scenario for the Celtics.

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