The Celtics Chased Flexibility Over Fireworks
The Boston Celtics made multiple moves at the trade deadline, and now they're under the tax as a result
I purposely held off on the Vucevic film study. I’ve learned from experience not to dive into the film until the trade is made official. That will be with you tomorrow.
Today, though…Well, today has been a whirlwind.
After the Celtics flipped Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vučević, the writing was on the wall. It was abundantly clear that the trade deadline would be about getting out of the tax.
A very late update from Shams Charania — like an hour late — confirms the Celtics have done just that.
Let’s recap.
Josh Minott has been shipped to the Brooklyn Nets.
Chris Boucher has been jettisoned to the Utah Jazz, where he’s expected to be waived. Two-way guard John Tonje is reportedly heading to Boston as part of this deal, per Adam Himmelsbach.
Converted Amari Williams two-way contract into a full two-year NBA deal.
And, Xavier Tillman Sr. is heading to the Charlotte Hornets, teaming up with Charles Lee and Grant Williams.
Those three moves, coupled with the prior Vucevic deal, ensure the Celtics are now under the tax.
As you can see from Yossi Gozlan’s breakdown, Boston’s moves at the deadline have completed Stevens mission of getting out of the tax. However, those same moves have left the team with three open roster spots. They have 14 days to get back to 14-rostered players.
As Keith Smith noted, a team can only be under 14 contracted players for a total of 28 days in a season. Smith then noted that Boston could pause the timer by adding 10-day contracts while they wait for the pro rata value of contracts to continue to decline.
So, for all the scuttlebutt of the Celtics emerging as buyers at the trade deadline, they went the way of sellers.
I’m not mad at it.
If we exclude Simons for just a moment, Stevens shed three players who weren’t part of the game-to-game rotation. In return, he gave the franchise maximum flexibility heading into the summer.
What Boston chooses to do with that flexibility is anyone’s guess. From where I’m standing, it’s mission complete. And now, all eyes turn to how the Celtics round out the rotation.
Firstly, I’m expecting Ron Harper Jr. to get a similar reward to Amari Williams. Converting his deal would be cost-effective, and after his performance against the Houston Rockets, he deserves a shot in the big leagues.
If/when the Celtics convert Harper Jr, they will still have two open roster spots. That’s where the buyout market could come into play.
Assuming a guard is the target, there are some interesting options available. Off the top of my head, I can think of:
Chris Paul
Lonzo Ball
Mike Conley
None of those guys are legitimate needle-movers to the point where you’re guaranteed a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. They can all provide depth and bring different talents to the rotation, though. It’s not ideal, but as a short-term rental, it could certainly be worse.
You may have noticed that I left one name off that list…Cam Thomas.
For those of you who missed the news, the Nets have waived Thomas, thus making him a free agent.
If the Celtics were ever going to replace some of the guard scoring they lost when shipping out Simons, Thomas would be the guy. He’s not prolific, but he can get buckets in a variety of ways.
This season, Thomas — who has missed time through injury, and hasn’t been at his best because of it — is averaging 33% from deep, 44% from mid-range and 47% around the rim. Far from ideal, but with Boston’s spacing, coaching and culture, he could emerge as a scoring threat with the second unit.
Of course, Boston won’t be Thomas’ only option. Nor is there a guarantee the Celtics will target him, especially if he’s asking for a deal that would put Boston back over the tax line.
I still think he’s a name worth mentioning, though, as he could legitimately help the second unit and provide reliable guard depth.
Looking past the buyout market, I’m expecting another Torrey Craig type of pick-up as well. A veteran who can spell minutes when needed but is happy just being along for the ride and providing vibes on the bench and behind the scenes. There’s already enough leadership within Boston’s locker room, but honestly, one more “set an example” addition wouldn’t hurt, right?
All-in-all, this trade deadline has been a pragmatic success.
And, while I’ve seen some frustration pointed toward ownership, with a perceived unwillingness to spend, I don’t see it that way. We knew coming into the season that this was a retooling year.
The unexpected success doesn’t appear to have swayed Stevens and his team.
They’ve stayed locked in.
They’ve made moves that save money and create options.
None of this was sexy.
I was heated when I saw the Indiana Pacers land Ivica Zubac.
A little less heated when I saw the price they paid.
But, when Vucevic is hitting pick-and-pop threes, or cooking in the post, i’m sure I (and any other detractors of this deal) will feel a lot better about that decision. And, when the Celtics start taking some big swings in the summer, or at the 2027 trade deadline, we will look back on today as the platform that made everything possible.
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to see multiple fleeting transactions as the Celtics wait for the pro-rated contract costs to continue to decrease. Fortunately, with each passing day, we’ll be closing in on a completed roster to get behind for the rest of the season.
I, for one, am going to sleep happy tonight. The Celtics are building for the long haul. They could get their All-NBA forward back at any point. And, they’re still among the best teams in the Eastern Conference by record.
How are you all feeling after the madness that was today?
I don't think anyone feels too bad about the outgoing players: Boucher, Tillman, and Minott have all been stapled to the bench for months. If Boucher and Tillman had panned out, we wouldn't have been so desperate for a big like Vucevic. Minott obviously was the odd man out in the mix of Gonzalez, Baylor, Walsh, and now Ron Harper Jr. I am not against finding out what the kids can do for a bit and then getting into the buyout market to fill needs.
Will the C's sign Cam Thomas? Wait for a vet buyout like Klay Thompson?