Celtics trade targets: Seven players the Celtics could target in-season with TPE
There's good news for Danny Ainge entering the Celtics' 2020-21 season: If an issue emerges with Boston's roster, he has the means to fix it.The resource at Ainge's disposal is a $28.5 million traded player exception (the largest in NBA history), which the Celtics acquired in a Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade with the Charlotte Hornets and can use to acquire one or multiple talented players prior to the March 25 NBA trade deadline.So, which players might the Celtics have their eye on? While Boston's needs will become more apparent throughout the season, there are early questions. How many games will Kemba Walker miss with his balky knee? Who will fill Hayward's scoring and playmaking void, especially on the second unit? Does adding Tristan Thompson alone give the Celtics enough frontcourt depth?How pressing those questions become may determine who Boston pursues before the deadline. But there are several players who are potential trade fodder and could be potential fits for the Celtics as they gear up for the playoffs. Let's get to know 'em.
Age: 25
2019-20 stats: 14.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.7 apg, 43.7% shooting, 30.8% 3-point shooting
2020-21 cap hit: $18.1 million
Gordon isn't the best shooter, but he's ridiculously athletic and could be a solid Gordon Hayward replacement as a versatile stretch forward on the second unit.
The time for the Magic to trade him is now -- he's on the penultimate year of his contract -- and their asking price should be reasonable after his scoring average dipped last season.
Orlando big man Nikola Vucevic is another name to watch should the Magic actually commit to a rebuild and start selling parts.
Forsberg: The five paths Boston could take with TPE
Age: 35
2019-20 stats: 6.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 41.5% shooting, 35.8% 3-point shooting
2020-21 cap hit: $7.9 million
Tucker isn't the sexiest name on this list and wouldn't necessarily get Boston over the hump on his own. But he'd still be a good fit as a rock-solid power forward who can provide defensive muscle and space the floor with a respectable 3-point shot.
Houston might go nuclear if James Harden forces his way out, and Tucker could be a cost-effective trade option for the Celtics, especially if Tristian Thompson's hamstring continues to act up.
Age: 28
2019-20 stats: 14.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, 46.0% shooting, 38.1% 3-point shooting
2020-21 cap hit: $22.2 million
Barnes has averaged at least 14.5 points per game in four straight seasons and won an NBA title with the Warriors in 2015. If the Celtics need more secondary scoring on the wing, he'd certainly fit the mold.
The Kings could be sellers in short order and would be motivated to move on from Barnes' contract, which Boston could absorb while staying just under the NBA's $132 million tax line.
Age: 28
2019-20 stats: 19.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 42.9% shooting, 39.4% 3-point shooting
2020-21 cap hit: $24.9 million
The Celtics may need to send out salary to take on Hield's contract, but that might be worth it to acquire the Jamaican flamethrower, who made more 3-pointers last season than any player not named James Harden.
Adding Hield would allow Marcus Smart to come off the bench and would give Boston a proven sharpshooter while Aaron Nesmith develops. Ainge may be calling Sacramento one way or another this winter.
Age: 23
2019-20 stats: 21.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.6 bpg, 58.3% shooting, 40.1% 3-point shooting
2020-21 cap hit: $4.1 million
Collins apparently is angling for a maximum contract extension, which may be too rich for the Hawks' blood. The two sides want to make things work, but if next week's extension deadline passes without a new deal, the Celtics should be very interested.
Collins is one of the league's most talented young big men and would give Boston the legitimate frontcourt scorer it lacked last season.
Age: 24
2019-20 stats: 10.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.1 apg, 46.2% shooting, 36.9% 3-point shooting
2020-21 cap hit: $14.2 million
It might be tough for the Celtics to pry Murray from the Spurs on the first year of his new contract extension. But if San Antonio becomes a seller, Ainge should give general manager Brian Wright a call, as Boston could use a backup to Kemba Walker who has more experience than rookie Payton Pritchard but more gas left in the tank than veteran Jeff Teague.
Murray, a well-rounded point guard who received a couple NBA All-Defensive team votes last season, would certainly fit that bill.
Age: 34
2019-20 stats: 9.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.1 apg, 51.6% shooting, 46.0% 3-point shooting
2020-21 cap hit: $9.6 million
Hill is a bit redundant if Teague can give the Celtics minutes off the bench. But if Boston runs into point guard trouble, the 13-year veteran is a solid contingency plan.
The C's could acquire Hill simply by adding to Sam Presti's war chest of draft picks and have enough trade exception money left over to pursue another name on this list.
