Celtics should target these three defensive wings before the deadline

Heading into the 2023 offseason, the Celtics seemed set at the guard position and looked great at the center spot after trading for Kristaps Porzingis. There was one clear need Boston needed to address – a wing defender who could shoot.

Then, though, Brad Stevens moved center Robert Williams and point guard Malcolm Brogdon for Jrue Holiday. Suddenly, Boston’s greatest bench need, one could argue, was at every position. I’ve written in this series about guards and big men the Celtics could target, and in this piece I’ll focus on wings.

Even though it was essentially inevitable, losing Grant Williams last offseason was a blow to Boston’s defensive versatility, shooting, grit, and physicality. He was no perfect player, but he could make games messy in the right way while converting 40% of his three-pointers.

There is no one out there the Celtics could get to fill Williams’ shoes entirely given the meager salaries they have to give up in a trade. However, there are a few players who could play a similar but more limited role for this Celtics team, which is in need of a strong hustle player.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: What about Lamar Stevens? Oshae Brissett?

I hear you. They are both strong and gifted defenders. But they aren’t consistent shooters, and to date Joe Mazzulla doesn’t seem ready to trust them to play meaningful minutes. Either he’s content with Sam Hauser getting all of the backup wing minutes, or he is waiting until he has a better option than the two offseason acquisitions.

I don’t know if Stevens will go for a forward on the trade market. I do, however, think he has one move in him before the Feb. 8 trade deadline. And that trade could be for one of the following players.

Starting off hot:

BOS receives: Naji Marshall

NOP receives: second-round compensation

The New Orleans Pelicans have a lot of big wings. Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones are all guys who can play wing or forward. On top of that, Dyson Daniels is a big guard in their reserve unit who is breaking out, and rookie shooting guard Jordan Hawkins has been terrific to start the season. That’s a crowded bench unit with a lot of defense and a lot of shooting.

As a result, Marshall is playing fewer minutes this season than last despite injuries to multiple players ahead of him in the rotation. On top of that, he’s in the last year of his contract. The Pelicans might move him if they don’t think he’ll re-sign, and his $1.9 million deal fits comfortably into the $6.2 Grant Williams traded player exception.

Now, this might have to be a part of a larger deal. The Pelicans are probably looking for a good center on the trade market, and Boston doesn’t have one to offer. Getting rid of a player like Marshall before trying to make a bigger move would be foolish, but maybe Boston’s second-rounders could help New Orleans make a bigger move (Boston has a few seconds this year, including one that is likely to be in the 33-38 range).

Marshall would slide into the rotation as an alternative to Hauser, in case the bench unit needed a little more hustle and scrapping. Pelicans center Larry Nance Jr. last year called Marshall a “junkyard dog” because of his willingness to make hustle plays and the pride he takes in his defense. He hasn’t shot as well as Hauser over the last few years, but so far this season he’s at 43% from three. That has space to come down and still be great. Add that he’s a great wing stopper, and he could be a real playoff contributor in Boston.

Still, it’s hard to pry young guys like that from good teams

Next up, a veteran on a … less good team.

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

BOS receives: Torrey Craig

CHI receives: One second-round pick

Chicago brought the 32-year-old Craig in this summer to improve its on-ball defense. Craig is a smart and physical defender who, at 6’7”, can take on some tough assignments and switch onto bigger players. He is pretty important to the Bulls’ rotation, averaging 21 minutes of playing time a night. But if the Bulls want to blow things up, it’s likely everyone other than Patrick Williams, Coby White, and rookie Julian Phillips could be up for grabs.

Craig’s defense would allow Boston to go entire games playing only plus defenders. Hauser has held up very well in isolation, but teams have learned they can get him lost in screening actions. In the playoffs, they will try to get him on those actions as much as possible. With Craig, Boston wouldn’t have that problem. And: He hits enough of his threes (37%) to make him something of a factor on offense, too.

On to the next guy:

Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

BOS receives: Lonnie Walker IV

BRK receives: second-round picks

(This deal can’t be completed until Dec. 15th because Walker was signed this offseason)

These trade structures are getting repetitive, I know. There just isn’t much that Boston has to offer in terms of assets, and most of these players make little enough that acquiring them via the TPE wouldn’t add crazy amounts of luxury tax penalties.

Walker is making just $2 million on a one-year deal. Presumably, he signed at this lower number with Brooklyn to up his value and get a bigger payday this offseason. Could he fill a Swiss Army Knife backup-wing role like Bruce Brown did in Denver last year? Possibly. He’s an athletic shooting guard who has improved as a defender and shoots the ball really well (46% from three this season!). Plus, he had a really great series for the Lakers against the Warriors last playoffs.

Am I dreaming to think Brooklyn might move the 24-year old, who is averaging over 14 points per game this season? Maybe.

As always, it depends on whether they want to re-sign him this offseason. It’s entirely possible they signed him to a small deal to showcase his ability and flip him for an asset during the season. But it’s also possible they really like him and plan to bring him back. They have lots of wings, though, and many of them are young. Maybe they struggle with a tough schedule coming up and decide it’s time to shuffle assets. Who knows?

This is my favorite wing trade for this Celtics team. Boston could use an athlete, and Walker is a great one.

I would love for Boston to trade for players like Jae’Sean Tate, a versatile wing defender who is having a good shooting season. He’s making just over the TPE value, though, so it would take a few rotation players to make it work. That is the tricky part about finding trades this season for the Celtics: Their acquisition tools are incredibly limited.

To close: No, I don’t think the Grizzlies’ John Konchar is a good fit for this team, despite rumors that Boston is looking at him. Why would he play over someone like Svi Mykhailiuk or Lamar Stevens? He’s not a great defender or much of a shooter. The only good reason people suggest Boston might acquire him is that he would be cheap. But you pretty much get what you pay for in the NBA.