Trade/Free Agency Thread 2023-24 – (Trade Deadline Feb. 8, 3PM, ET)

[Hal14]

Just because we have the best record in the NBA doesn't mean there isn't clear opportunity to upgrade. Our starting 5 is obviously terrific. Horford is probably the best backup big man in the NBA. That's all rock solid.

We have a clear and definite opening for someone in the 7th/8th/9th spot of the playoff rotation. Not saying we could never get by with what we have, but it's a very clear area we could improve. And with a TPE, some minimum salary fodder to trade and picks we should definitely be turning over every stone. Not saying we get a stud but I find it hard to believe there isn't a reasonable deal out there that nets us something useful, even if not game-changing.

Agreed.

Pritchard was played off the court at times last time he was in the playoff rotation. And yeah, maybe a more consistent role will help make him better on offense/shooting. But he was played off the court because he was too small to defend ISOs. He hasn't grown since then. You can't pencil Pritchard in for all rounds. There will be matchups he's not useful for.

I agree to some extent. As I said in my post earlier today, Pritchard can at times get abused defensively.

But I think you might be overstating it a little bit. In the 2022 playoffs, it was awhile ago now but I really don't recall him being "played off the floor" necessarily. He got pretty consistent playing time as the 8th man, if I recall correctly. I feel like when he got taken out of a game, it was just part of Udoka's normal rotation pattern..or, someone like JT, JB, White or Smart got put into the game for him because, well - they're better players and it's the playoffs where you plat your top dogs more minutes - not necessarily because Pritchard was getting killed defensively.

As I recall, the only playoff round in 2022 where he struggled was the NBA finals and that was mainly just because he struggled with his shooting - only 21% from 3 that series

I mean, he could have certainly done better at defending Steph and not letting him go off - but that's something that we struggled with collectively as a team that series. Steph had a few games there where he was insane - like basically impossible for anyone to guard.

Yes, he's small. But lots of small guys have been good defenders (Davion Mitchell, Jose Alvarado, Kyle Lowry, CP3, Stockton, Charlie Ward, Chris Childs, Dennis Smith Jr. Mike Conley has been decent defensively, so has Patty Mills, Eddie House, Jevon Carter, Gabe Vincent, etc. I'm obviously not saying Pritchard is as good defensively as all of those guys. But Pritchard is pretty quick, he's scrappy, plays hard (a lot of defense is the effort you put into it). And I think he is gotten a little bit better defensively than he was in the 21-22 season. Again, he can be a liability at times, but I don't fully agree with the bold part.

Brissett is given good energy but another guy whose game doesn't profile well for a playoff rotation.

I agree that I wouldn't feel comfortable with him as one of our top 8 guys who gets consistent rotation mins in the playoffs (due to offensive limitations). BUT I could see him getting there for some spot mins here or there in the playoffs as a 10th man (or maybe even 9th man) to go in, fly around, bring a spark/energy, get a put-back dunk, grab a rebound and then come out a couple mins later.

Kornet has given some fine regular season minutes but regular season vs. postseason basketball is an entirely different game for centers. Many guys who play well in the regular season get glued to the bench in the playoffs and Kornet is pretty obviously in that group.

Agreed that I wouldn't want to rely on him for heavy playoff mins. But I don't fully agree with the bold part - think that's overstating it a little bit. I mean, you look at a guy like Cody Zeller. Gave Miami some spot mins here and there as a backup big in the playoffs, he made some nice plays in the ECF vs us, he contributed a little bit. I don't see why Kornet can't give us (if need be) what Zeller gave Miami. Or what Bjelica gave the Warriors during their championship run in 2022.

Hauser on paper is everything you could want in a 7th/8th man. Shooter and passable defender. But still unproven.

Hauser a passable defender? Most of the time, yes.

But there is definitely times when he is simply overmatched defensively by an offensive player who is either too strong and/or too quick for him. Hauser is not very quick (compared to a lot of guards/wings in the NBA) and he's not very strong (compared to a lot of 3's and 4's in the NBA).

I feel like Pritchard and Hauser are roughly equal in terms of how good/bad they are defensively. Which is why I don't feel great about having both of them in our 8 man playoff rotation. They both struggle at times on D. And they both struggle at times to do anything on offense besides hit 3's.

So I think overall we're in agreement that Brad should try to find an upgrade if possible..

[BK_2020]

We need to upgrade at the top, not at the bottom.

Oh my god that's a great idea let's trade Tatum for Jokic.

Fine with me. But the one who really has to go is Brown. Brown is not a championship caliber player. This team is just another tease. They will find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the playoffs.

Oh ok, when you said upgrade at the top I thought you meant in one of our top 3 players.

[Curmudgeon]

Brown is a top 3 player when it comes to usage.
If we had 5 Derrick Whites we could win a championship. But we don't. For the last TWO nights I've watched a team that isn't willing to expend effort to get a rebound. Their terrible rebounding is almost comical, to the point where the only guy on the team who puts in any effort on the boards is Payton Pritchard.
Read my signature.

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

Brown is a top 3 player when it comes to usage.
If we had 5 Derrick Whites we could win a championship. But we don't. For the last TWO nights I've watched a team that isn't willing to expend effort to get a rebound. Their terrible rebounding is almost comical, to the point where the only guy on the team who puts in any effort on the boards is Payton Pritchard.
Read my signature.

Fine. We’ll trade Brown for Jokic then….

[Curmudgeon]

Fine. We’ll trade Brown for Jokic then….

Dream on....

[Andrew McCeltic]

I figured out Brad Stevens' puzzle. He mentioned BIG WING as the priority this trade deadline. When you scramble those letters, you'll get WIGGINB. And what is B but an otherwise miswritten S! WIGGINS! We're going after Wiggins. Since we can't trade for Andrew, it's Aaron we're after. Whom we can easily trade for.

I dunno if Basketball Reference is a legit site, but it's listing his shooting splits as 60/56/76 which is pretty decent.

Brad stole “big wing” from Danny, it’s the perfect trade deadline leak. Makes us look more comfortable with our front court than we are (it’s the big need), but also covers three positions.

Is Lonnie Walker a “big” wing? A team like Chicago could call peddling Caruso and say “how about a small wing”, and a team with a less skilled 4 could call and say “I have that big player you wanted”. Size, ball handling, shooting? Every team wants those.

[Andrew McCeltic]

I don’t care much about what little things the FO might get done. Depth is great, but we have the talent to win it all. Issue is whether a rival team can seriously level up. If Knicks make another splash, or Pacers, or Philly, we’ll have competition. Even Marcus Smart to Milwaukee would be a headache.

[Fierce1]

I don’t care much about what little things the FO might get done. Depth is great, but we have the talent to win it all. Issue is whether a rival team can seriously level up. If Knicks make another splash, or Pacers, or Philly, we’ll have competition. Even Marcus Smart to Milwaukee would be a headache.

True.

Some of the contending teams might look different one week from now.

[Andrew McCeltic]

I don’t care much about what little things the FO might get done. Depth is great, but we have the talent to win it all. Issue is whether a rival team can seriously level up. If Knicks make another splash, or Pacers, or Philly, we’ll have competition. Even Marcus Smart to Milwaukee would be a headache.

True.

Some of the contending teams might look different one week from now.

Bruce Brown to the Knicks would be Thibs’ dream team. Deep defensive squads can punch above their weight in the playoffs.

But none of the “big” names - LaVine, Dejounte - look like good chemistry fits on East winners. And Bogdanovic won’t make Philly a favorite, just a tougher out. Or Brogdon in New York.

More likely Indiana manages to secure their place in the second-tier elite with the Knicks, Bucks, 76ers. Mykal Bridges would do it.

[Hal14]

Celtics are:

-28th in FGA between 0-3 feet from the basket
-27th in FGA between 3-10 feet from the basket
-27th in FGA that are layups
-6th in FGA that are dunks
-19th in FTr
-27th in drives per game (since December 1)
-1st (by a MILE) in 3Pr

Whoever we get, let's try to get someone who can score closer to the basket and isn't so reliant on the 3 ball (3's are good but let's not rely on them too much b/c those shots are more hit or miss, more fickle)

[zoyathedestroya]

Celtics are:

-28th in FGA between 0-3 feet from the basket
-27th in FGA between 3-10 feet from the basket
-27th in FGA that are layups
-6th in FGA that are dunks
-19th in FTr
-27th in drives per game (since December 1)
-1st (by a MILE) in 3Pr

Whoever we get, let's try to get someone who can score closer to the basket and isn't so reliant on the 3 ball (3's are good but let's not rely on them too much b/c those shots are more hit or miss, more fickle)

Whoever we get isn't taking more than 4 shots in a playoff game. If we want to change the team's shot profile, look at the starters who will be taking the bulk of the shots.

[165bows]

Celtics are:

-28th in FGA between 0-3 feet from the basket
-27th in FGA between 3-10 feet from the basket
-27th in FGA that are layups
-6th in FGA that are dunks
-19th in FTr
-27th in drives per game (since December 1)
-1st (by a MILE) in 3Pr

Whoever we get, let's try to get someone who can score closer to the basket and isn't so reliant on the 3 ball (3's are good but let's not rely on them too much b/c those shots are more hit or miss, more fickle)

Whoever we get isn't taking more than 4 shots in a playoff game. If we want to change the team's shot profile, look at the starters who will be taking the bulk of the shots.

The crazy part is if you take dunks out of the equation, the rest of the two pointers combined are likely less valuable than threes (for better or worse). Basically FG% outside of three feet isn’t that great no matter what it is. FTr otoh seems very valuable, especially at the high end.

[Hal14]

Celtics are:

-28th in FGA between 0-3 feet from the basket
-27th in FGA between 3-10 feet from the basket
-27th in FGA that are layups
-6th in FGA that are dunks
-19th in FTr
-27th in drives per game (since December 1)
-1st (by a MILE) in 3Pr

Whoever we get, let's try to get someone who can score closer to the basket and isn't so reliant on the 3 ball (3's are good but let's not rely on them too much b/c those shots are more hit or miss, more fickle)

Whoever we get isn't taking more than 4 shots in a playoff game. If we want to change the team's shot profile, look at the starters who will be taking the bulk of the shots.

I didn't say anything about the playoffs in that post.

I'm just talking about a potential trade..and I doubt we're trading any of our starters.

Agreed that the top 5 or 6 guys have much more impact on these numbers. But I think upgrading that 7th/8th man spot could at least move the needle a little bit..

[zoyathedestroya]

Celtics are:

-28th in FGA between 0-3 feet from the basket
-27th in FGA between 3-10 feet from the basket
-27th in FGA that are layups
-6th in FGA that are dunks
-19th in FTr
-27th in drives per game (since December 1)
-1st (by a MILE) in 3Pr

Whoever we get, let's try to get someone who can score closer to the basket and isn't so reliant on the 3 ball (3's are good but let's not rely on them too much b/c those shots are more hit or miss, more fickle)

Whoever we get isn't taking more than 4 shots in a playoff game. If we want to change the team's shot profile, look at the starters who will be taking the bulk of the shots.

I didn't say anything about the playoffs in that post.

I'm just talking about a potential trade..and I doubt we're trading any of our starters.

Agreed that the top 5 or 6 guys have much more impact on these numbers. But I think upgrading that 7th/8th man spot could at least move the needle a little bit..

You didn’t but I am.

Whoever we’re adding should impact the postseason. Otherwise, what’s the point? Our rotation for the regular season has been more than fine.

[Hal14]

Woah. Kispert just dropped 26 tonight off the bench vs Miami.

And it's not like it was a wild 140-133 in overtime type of game either. The wizards only scored 102 points..

His 6 threes and 4 FGs from 2..6/14 from 3 but 1 of the misses was a desperation heave at the end of the game in the closing seconds when the wizards were down by 8.

He also had 4 rebs, 2 assists, 0 turnovers.

Watch on YouTube

2:42 damn, look at the range on this 3
8:02 shows some good strength and athleticism as he takes it strong to the basket and throws down the dunk
8:10 has the ball top of key beyond the 3 pt line. Takes his man off the dribble, goes to the hole, hits a floater in the lane over 2 defenders
8:18 gets the ball on the break at the wing. Doesn't settle for the 3. Takes it strong to the bucket, makes the layup, and-1
8:28 catches it on the run, on the wing - takes it strong to the basket, hits the floaters in the lane, shows soft touch. Dude is on fire

His defense looks passable in this vid, too. Like 3 times where MIA ran PnR or iso at him. Only scored on 1 of them and that play (Kispert a little late to close out on a shooter) was perhaps Poole's fault as the 2 of them seemed to be mixed up about whether they were switching the screen. There was also a play where Butler tried to score on Kispert but was unsuccessful, losing the ball out of bounds. If he can hold up ok defending Jimmy, that's certainly a plus.

You know what to do, Brad. Just give Washington some of those 2nd rounders we have stocked up..

Read on Twitter

Send picks (and Svi?) for Kispert! He just had the best game of his career and he's only 24 - still getting better..has experience playing with KP that will help make the transition to Boston smoother.

[Hal14]

Read on Twitter

[Hal14]

This guys is just a random Mavericks fan so take it with a grain of salt..he's just speculating, no actual intel here, but...

Read on Twitter

I hadn't really thought of us getting Royce on a buyout but would definitely be onboard with that. He'd be a solid 7th/8th man.

Maybe we use the TPE to get a big (Drummond or Nick Richards?) and snag Royce on a buyout. That'd be solid, imo.

With that being said, it seems like the Nets might be buyers at the deadline. It's not like they gain anything by tanking - their pick this year goes to Houston so they don't have a 1st rounder this year.

And apparently they have all these TPE's so I doubt Lonnie Walker IV is coming here:

Read on Twitter

[playa-hater]

I am starting to waver on my Not trading 2 1sts for Caruso (PP + fillers) but not because I think PP will be a "target" in the playoffs and will be bad on defense. I think he holds up far better than people give him credit for. But Caruso is literally Elite. And unlike PP, I feel Joe won't hesitate in the slightest to play Caruso far more than what he will do with PP. Also think Caruso, like Jrue, can hold up against Bigmen on switches.

I do have bigger concerns on offense than defense come late in playoff games, but with Caruso we can win because of great Defense over pretty good defense.

Plus the all important insurance for either Jrue/White getting injured.

Sorry to my Binkie PP. But Brad, make the deal.

[Fierce1]

Caruso will not be playing in the last 5 minutes because it will be White and Jrue.

Unless you guys want a lineup of Tatum at Center, Brown at PF, White, Jrue, and Caruso to finish games?

[playa-hater]

Caruso will not be playing in the last 5 minutes because it will be White and Jrue.

Unless you guys want a lineup of Tatum at Center, Brown at PF, White, Jrue, and Caruso to finish games?

Maybe not much, but Caruso will play a bigger bulk of minutes. I see closer to 25 minutes. Don't think PP gets anywhere near that in the playoffs.