While there have been a few minor trades over the past few weeks across the association, business is expected to pick up in a big way after Saturday as a fresh pool of players become eligible to be traded starting on December 15th.
The vast majority of free agents (with a few notable exceptions) who signed with teams this offseason are now cleared to be moved in trade transactions, which helps create a far higher number of possibilities and combinations as franchises start to separate themselves into buyers and sellers ahead of the trade deadline in February.
While the buyers far outnumber the sellers just 30 games into the season, we can already see some franchises that have firmly placed themselves into either category.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have already dealt away two veterans (George Hill, Kyle Korver) and still have a couple more (J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson) who could be moved in the next couple months. Trevor Ariza lasted less than two months in Phoenix after the floundering franchise agreed to send him packing to the Washington Wizards for Austin Rivers and Kelly Oubre after a failed three-way swap with the Memphis Grizzlies.
These moves should be just the beginning though of what will be a busy two months for several franchises as the positioning begins for a pretty wide open playoff race in both conferences.
Let’s take a look at what new names on the Celtics who are eligible to be traded and what other notable names from across the league that can be added to the rumor mill as of December 15th.
NEW CELTICS ELIGIBLE TO BE DEALT
Aron Baynes: While the center is eligible to be moved after signing a two-year deal with the C’s this offseason for $11 million, he won’t be sent anywhere without his approval. Since Baynes signed a one-year deal with a player option, he will have to sacrifice his Bird Rights in any trade, so the CBA gives him a no-trade clause as part of his deal.
For this reason, it’s hard to envision any scenario in which Baynes agrees to get dealt this year. He re-signed with Boston because he wants to play for a winner in a meaningful role and it’s going to be hard for him to find that elsewhere, especially since Danny Ainge won’t be making any trades with fellow contenders in the coming weeks. As long as Joel Embiid is in the Eastern Conference, the C’s will have a use for Baynes. He’s not going anywhere, even with the embarrassment of riches down the Celtics’ center depth chart.
Odds of being dealt: Close to zero.
Jabari Bird: The swingman has remained away from the team since September in the aftermath of his domestic violence case. He’s due for a court appearance this week but the Celtics have kept him on the roster for the time being while waiting for the legal process to shake out. It’s unclear at this point though whether there will be a resolution on Bird’s case ahead of the trade deadline in February though so it’s fair to wonder whether the Celtics will wait that long. Since Bird is making the rookie minimum, they could try to find a taker for him and package him with cash for some team to absorb him onto their roster before ultimately waiving him. That way, the Celtics would be able to remove the salary hit from their books and prevent a higher luxury tax penalty.
It’s unclear whether any team would want to deal with the PR headache of acquiring Bird in the wake of the accusations he is facing, even though he would never need to suit up for a new squad before being waived. Don’t expect anything to happen just yet, but there could be some movement here as the trade deadline approaches, especially if the C’s could use an open roster spot and the end of the court case isn’t in sight.
Odds of being dealt: Marginal. Getting outright waived following court case is more likely.
Brad Wanamaker: The 28-year-old rookie has been buried on the Celtics bench for the majority of the season behind a loaded backcourt, but he has looked solid in limited minutes while injuries and illness piled up over the last week. He’s on a one-year contract though for the veteran’s minimum, which makes him, after Bird, the most expendable piece on the Celtics roster if an upgrade can be had. For now, he’ll provide some useful depth and size behind Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown off the bench. I’ve written about the fact that the C’s could conceivably use a speedier defensive-minded guard at the end of the roster but Wanamaker’s size will make him less of a liability on that front if he’s ever forced into postseason action.
Odds of being dealt: Less than 50-50. If a roster spot is needed for a pickup, he’s the most likely piece to go after Bird.
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