On a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania said the Boston Celtics are looking to make an impact move ahead of the February 5 trade deadline. Charania describe Boston as “aggressive” in trying to get a deal done.
“They’ve been in the marketplace, trying to go get a big-time starting center potentially,” Charania said about Boston’s approach to the trade deadline. “They’re going to be aggressive in moving the needle. They’ve got assets. They’ve got contracts to play with.”
The Celtics have been linked to players like Ivica Zubac of the LA Clippers and Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies. Boston has Anfernee Simons’ expiring $27.7 million contract to offer in trade, as well as a $22.5 million traded player exception at their disposal. Boston also owns most of their own future first-round draftpicks, although their 2032 pick is frozen from being a second-apron team last season.
Boston worked hard to shed salary this past offseason to get under the second apron, in part to avoid further draft-pick restrictions down the line. The Celtics currently stand $7.8 million under the second apron and are highly unlikely to go back over that market this season.