The Boston Celtics have a $28.5 million traded player exception after sending Gordon Hayward to the Charlotte Hornets before the season. And they fully intend to use it.
In his latest NBA Power Rankings capsule on the Celtics, The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported Boston is "scoping out the trade market," and that other teams are taking notice.
"Late Saturday evening, I received a flurry of texts from multiple executives around the league who said the Celtics were up to something," O'Connor wrote. "What they’re up to is unclear, but league sources have long said Boston is searching for upgrades to bolster its wing and big man position."
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Celtics Talk Podcast: Does Harrison Barnes or Nikola Vucevic fit the bill for Ainge’s trade desire? | Listen & subscribe | Watch on YouTube
The Celtics' needs aren't exactly a secret. Team president of basketball operations Danny Ainge broadcasted his wish list to the league last week, noting that Boston is seeking "shooting with size."
So, who could Ainge and Co. pursue? O'Connor speculated the Celtics could make a run at Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal by packaging young players like Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith with future first-round draft picks. (Our Chris Forsberg is less keen on a Beal deal.)
O'Connor also listed veteran role players P.J. Tucker and Thaddeus Young as potential targets, while Harrison Barnes seems like a solid fit, as well.
Boston Celtics
Find the latest Boston Celtics news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.
Interestingly, O'Connor mentioned that Celtics big men Tristan Thompson and Daniel Theis both could be part of a deal because of their trade-friendly contracts ($9.3 million for Thompson and $5 million for Theis).
The C's have dealt with a rash of injuries that have kept them from realizing their full potential. But they're also 3-7 in their last 10 games, and as Kemba Walker continues to struggle, it's becoming clear that this roster may need an upgrade if it wants to compete with the Eastern Conference elite.
It sounds like Ainge is well aware of that.