Category: .Rumors

Rumor: Celtics interested in trading for surprise Utah Jazz forward

Fontecchio fits the bill of a bigger forward Boston is reportedly looking for.

There has been plenty of ink spilled on the possibility of a reunion between the Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz big man Kelly Olynyk. But rumbles of the Celtics having interest in trading for another member of the Jazz’ roster have begun to percolate.

According to The Athletic’s Tony Jones, Italian forward Simone Fontecchio has caught the eye of Boston’s front office. “Utah’s starting small forward has emerged as a serious trade target for two contending teams,” writes Jones, naming the Celtics and Phoenix Suns as those teams. “Both teams need to strengthen their respective second units, and Fontecchio has an easy salary number for Phoenix and Boston to get to as he is in the final year of a contract that pays him $3.1 million annually.”

“Fontecchio has emerged this season as an effective rotation-level player,” he adds. “He has shot the ball well, particularly since being inserted into the starting lineup. He’s also proven to be at least an adept wing defender.”

“The Celtics need frontcourt depth,” Jones rightly notes, “and Fontecchio would be a good fit there. He’s a shooter with size and length, which will allow him to play in lineups with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He’s fearless on the floor.”

“The Celtics are in a better spot and have a few firsts at their disposal,” he adds, though we feel anything beyond this coming draft’s first round pick would be too much — and then, only if no players were going out in the deal.

More likely, an array of three or even four second-rounders feels fair for both parties in our estimation, and Fontecchio fits the bill of a bigger forward Boston is reportedly looking for.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

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YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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New trade rumor has Celtics eyeing two NBA vets ahead of deadline

Could the Celtics swing a trade for either of these NBA vets ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline?

The NBA trade deadline is this Thursday, February 8, and the Boston Celtics have reportedly been active in looking to add some bench depth to the team’s depth chart. According to Yahoo Sports reporter Jake Fischer, the Celtics are eyeing two veterans in particular who could help round out the roster with the postseason on the horizon.

Fischer reported Otto Porter Jr of the Toronto Raptors could be a viable option for the Celtics. Likewise, Brooklyn Nets guard Lonnie Walker IV is also a name to keep an eye on. Either could provide an upgrade to Boston’s bench, as well as offer injury insurance.

The Celtics have a traded player exception worth approximately $6.25 million thanks to the sign-and-trade deal that sent Grant Williams to the Dallas Mavericks. This gives Boston a little more flexibility in bringing in a player without needing to send out too much salary.

Report: Jaylen Brown ‘seriously considering’ entering NBA Slam Dunk Contest

Will Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown suit up for the 2024 NBA Slam Dunk Contest?

Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown is reportedly interested in participating in this year’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest. According to the Athletic’s Shams Charania, Brown is “seriously considering” entering the annual showcase. He would become the first All-Star to take part in the dunk contest since 2017 and the first Celtic since Gerald Green in 2007.

“Brown has been mulling over the possibility for several weeks and appears to be very much in play.” Charania reported. Brown is already headed to All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis in a few weeks. He and Jayson Tatum are both set to represent the Eastern Conference during the All-Star Game itself.

Brown, who is known to unleash pretty ferocious slams, may be looking to add to his resume with a trip to the dunk contest as well.

Ex-Celtics forward Danilo Gallinari ‘being monitored’ as Los Angeles Lakers trade target

Gallinari has slowed a bit since returning from the ACL tear that kept him from ever suiting up for Boston, but can still offer some help.

Former Boston Celtics backup big man Danilo Gallinari has been on the radar of one of the Celtics’ biggest rivals ahead of the NBA’s 2024 trade deadline, according to new reporting from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Per Scotto, Gallo, “who’s continued to be a knockdown 3-point shooter while playing minutes at the four and small ball five at times in the final year of his contract,” is being monitored by rival front offices as a potential trade target. “The Lakers are among the teams who’ve checked in on Gallinari’s price tag to acquire him,” relates the H/H reporter of the former Celtics’ trade market.

Gallinari has slowed a bit since returning from the ACL tear that kept him from ever suiting up for Boston, but can still offer some long-distance shooting and a little passing and rebounding off the bench.

There is a non-zero chance Gallinari could end up a buyout candidate as well.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics Lab 239: Previewing Boston’s 2024 NBA trade deadline possibilities with Jack Simone

What can the Celtics do to get better? Which moves are more likely, and which make little sense?

The NBA’s 2024 trade deadline now perhaps better measured in hours than in days. And knowing what the range of possibilities that exists for the Boston Celtics to choose from to make moves to bolster their roster for a push to the 2024 NBA Finals is a good place to start.

What can the Celtics do to get better? Which moves are more likely, and which make little sense? Who are the likely targets, and which ones might surprise us? More importantly, what is off the table for Boston’s front office, and which trade targets should the Celtics be pursuing?

To get our bearings for what should be an impactful if comparatively quiet trade deadline for Boston, the hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast linked up with “How Bout Them Celtics!” cohost Jack Simone to talk ourselves through his recent trade deadline primer for Celtics Blog.

We also touch on the news, recent games, Marcus Smart’s return, Joel Embiid’s knee, and a ton more, so be sure to tune in.

The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by FanDuel.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Report: Boston Celtics ‘expressed interest’ in Kelly Olynyk, Delon Wright, Andre Drummond as trade targets

Boston is reportedly looking to bolster its bench.

The NBA’s 2024 trade deadline is just days away, with rumbles about what the Boston Celtics starting to warm up as the proximity grows. The Celtics have reportedly “expressed interest in a wide range of trade targets, including Kelly Olynyk, Delon Wright, Andre Drummond, and others,” according to new reporting from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

“The Celtics are looking to package some of their minimum contract players at the end of the rotation and draft pick compensation to bolster their bench heading into the playoffs,” notes the H/H reporter. “Drummond would fit the parameters of Boston’s current compensation package above, while Olynyk and Wright would likely cost more.”

As Scotto alludes, a Boston trade for Olynyk is functionally impossible given it would take one of the Celtics’ core players to match his $12.2 million in salary.

Wright, earning $8.1 million this season, is an unrealistic option for Boston for similar reasons.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Former Celtics floor general Marcus Smart reportedly getting much trade interest

But the Griz aren’t interested in dealing away the Oklahoma State alum, reportedly.

Even with an injury-addled season on an injury-addled ball club, former Boston Celtics floor general Marcus Smart is getting significant trade interest from other teams in the league, according to recent reporting from Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.

Per Fischer, the Flower Mound native is in demand as a trade target as “several clubs including the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers … have phoned Memphis about obtaining” Smart’s contract ahead of the league’s Feb. 8 moratorium on trading players. But the Griz aren’t interested in dealing away the Oklahoma State alum according to the Yahoo Sports reporter, who notes that the “Grizzlies have shut down any overtures for the veteran guard.”

Smart has missed considerable time for the Grizzlies to multiple if not serious injuries this season.

But in the 20 games he has played for Memphis, the Texan guard is logging a career-high 14.5 points per game along with 2.5 boards, 4.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per contest.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Shams Charania on the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics trade plans

We are officially in the final week of the NBA’s 2023-24 season in which a player can be traded.

We are officially in the final week of the NBA’s 2023-24 season in which a player can be traded. This will force a number of ball clubs around the league to ramp up their efforts to conclude whatever trades they hope to make before the Feb. 8 deadline arrives.

Among them are the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, two ball clubs set to play each other in their decades-long rivalry Thursday night. But they are also active on the trade front according to The Athletic NBA reporter Shams Charania, who dropped some trade season intel on the latest episode of the FanDuel “Run It Back” podcast.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what Shams has been told the Celtics and the Lakers are up to on the trade front as the deadline inches closer.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Stein: Celtics ‘continue to search for additional frontcourt depth’

More rumbles emerge that suggest the Boston Celtics are trying to make their big man rotation better.

More rumbles emerge that suggest the Boston Celtics are trying to make their big man rotation better ahead of the NBA’s 2024 trade deadline. Not long after The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Boston is indeed active still on the trade front, Marc Stein of “The Stein Line” reports that the Celtics “continue to search for additional frontcourt depth but might have to rely on various trade exceptions to try to fill the void.”

“Boston is said to be willing only to part with players on the most nominal contracts in any potential upcoming moves,” largely echoing the framework of any potential moves for Boston laid out by Charania in a recent podcast appearance.

The Celtics’ $6.2 million traded player exception would likely be the primary vehicle for any such move on Boston’s end.

We could see perhaps one or two of Svi Mykhailiuk, Dalano Banton, Lamar Stevens, or Oshae Brissett being included to offset the cap hit and sweeten the offer.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Report: Boston Celtics interested in Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate

His defensive skills could be a boon to Boston’s bench.

Are the Boston Celtics looking to trade for Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate? Previously linked to the Rockets combo forward in trade rumors, a new report from The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, Shams Charania, and Sam Amick suggests that pursuit might be heating up.

It could also be the old rumors warmed up for some trade leverage, but according to The Athletic reports, Tate “is attracting interest from the likes of Boston” as well as the Phoenix Suns. While the Celtics are reportedly looking for a bigger forward, Tate is somewhat small for his position at just 6-foot-4, and struggles to shoot from deep.

But his defensive skills could be a boon to Boston’s bench if not for the fact that he earns $6.5 million this season, just too big to make it into the team’s $6.2 traded player exception.

It seems unlikely that the Celtics would gut their deep rotation for a player only marginally better than the likely candidates going out.

We would not be surprised if he ended up with the Suns, however, who desperately need more healthy bodies.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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