With the trade deadline just under two weeks away and the Celtics working the phones for an upgrade, we will be doing a comprehensive breakdown of all potential areas the team could target ahead of the Feb. 7 deadline. First up: a look at the stretch big market.
Best fits but will Celtics pay asking price?
Davis Bertrans ($7 million): We have brought up the 6-foot-10 Bertrans, 27, as a potential target last month at BSJ already. He had missed several weeks recovering from a quad injury but has looked solid since his return last week. The Latvian native is in the midst of a career-best season with Washington, averaging 15.3 points per game on 43.8 percent shooting from 3-point range. His modest salary ($7 million) that expires this summer makes him the type of player the Celtics and a host of other contenders could work a deal for in the coming weeks without disrupting their core. Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard has emphasized he’s not looking to trade Bertans since the team has interest in retaining the 6-foot-10 forward beyond this season but that’s what good negotiators do. The asking price will be steep (at least one first-round pick) plus a combination of salary filler and/or useful rookies (Poirier/Edwards/Green/Kanter). Kanter a first-round pick works straight up but unless the Wiz are flipping Kanter elsewhere, his fit with the Wizards doesn’t make a lot of sense given their center depth chart. The guess here is the asking price remains too high for the C’s to match but they should keep monitoring until the deadline. An intriguing scenario? Using Kanter in the Bertans deal and then finding a cheap true big via a secondary trade (Alex Len? Jakob Poeltl?) to replace his rebounding.
Dario Saric: ($3.5 million): Saric is a restricted free agent to be in the last year of his rookie-scale deal. He’s playing a prominent role for the Suns amid a down shooting season (32 percent from 3) but he would be a terrific boost for Boston’s bench as a stretch scoring option and rebounder. The Suns, however, are very much in the playoff race in the West for now (two games out of No. 8 seed) and may very well plan to retain Saric beyond this season after trading for him last June. With limited frontcourt depth (Frank Kaminsky is injured), losing Saric would be a big hit to their playoff chances even if it produced a lottery pick.
There’s clearly risk here for Boston as well since they may not want to invest a big payday in Saric this summer when they have a number of guys that can already play the stretch 4. Saric provides enough size to play the center spot to close games but he couldn’t be counted on in that position to anchor a defense full-time. The C’s would have the right of first refusal in free agency and could ensure he doesn’t leave without getting an asset for him if he were to be acquired but a big offer sheet may prevent that. With a rough schedule awaiting the Suns in the next two weeks ahead of the trade deadline, a strong slide in the standings could make Saric available to the highest bidder. If so, the C’s should think long and hard about offering up a first-round pick, even if its just their own instead of the Memphis pick. His cheap salary makes it very easy to add Saric without giving up any important rotation pieces.
Nemanja Bjelica ($6.8 million): The Kings season is in a bit of a freefall with six straight losses amid a host of injuries and lackluster play under new head coach Luke Walton. Bjelica has been a bright spot amid the struggles, averaging a career-high 12.4 ppg and 43 percent shooting from 3-point range. The problem? He’s starting for this team and the Kings may not be ready yet to through the towel in on this season amid a nearly two-decade playoff drought. With Richaun Holmes and Marvin Bagley sidelined for the next two weeks at minimum, Bjelica is a crucial piece for this team and is under contract for a reasonable number ($7 million) next season as well. The Celtics could offer a late first round pick for him but that might not be enough for the Kings to bite. Offering more than that? I’d be shocked to see it since Bjelica’s lack of foot speed will make him a liability defending the perimeter against elite teams in the postseason.
Could help but how much do they have left?
Jae Crowder ($7.8 million): It’d be a fun story for the C’s to bring back their former swingman who has been starting for an overachieving Grizzlies team all year in the last year of his deal. Crowder is likely going somewhere at the deadline given his age (31) but his numbers this season are very underwhelming. He’s shooting 29.5 percent from 3-point Ange and a career-low 36 percent from the field. The Celtics would appreciate his knowledge of the C’s system and switchability on D but he wouldn’t really help the team’s shooting issues. In fact, you could argue Semi Ojeleye is the better shooter at this point. If the cost is just a couple second-round picks, you consider it, but a late first seems like too much. Better alternatives could be available for the roster spot in general since Crowder lacks size to rebound well as a stretch 4.
DeMarre Carroll ($7 million): The 33-year-old has been buried on the Spurs bench all season after signing a three-year deal with them this offseason. His numbers are very ugly in a limited sample size but the Spurs bench is also loaded with younger talent, making him a piece that clearly isn’t part of the team’s long-term plans anymore. Carroll did have something left in the tank last season, averaging 11.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game for the Nets while shooting 34 percent from deep but at age 33, his mobility isn’t close to what it used to be. With two more years on his deal, the Celtics would probably demand an asset to take on his added money with the hope he can contribute as well. If the Spurs aren’t willing to send a pick with him, C’s should pass on him.
Markieff Morris ($3.2 million): The other Morris twin was once recognized as the superior option of the two but injuries have changed that hierarchy. Markieff is having a nice season for the Pistons however, shooting a career-high 41 percent from 3-point range while averaging 11.2 points per game. The problem? Just like his brother, Morris is a ball stopper and that may not be something the C’s are looking to add to their offense at this time. His defense is also not reliable at age 30, which should limit what the C’s are willing to give up for him. Can’t see them doing it for any more than a second-round pick and Poirier.
Bargain basement shopping
Nicolo Melli ($3.9 million): The 28-year-old rookie from Italy is only shooting 33 percent from 3-point range this year but could be available now that Zion Williamson is back healthy. He wouldn’t get regular minutes in Boston but could provide C’s with a stretch shooting option at the 4/5 when needed.
Mike Muscala ($2 million): In the midst of a career worse season. He was a useful stretch big with the Hawks a couple years ago but he may be simply past his prime now despite only being 28. Shooting just 31.2 percent from deep this year but knocked down 40 percent last season. Boston would be betting a change of scenery helps him out. Could easily be had for a second-round pick.
Juan Hernangomez ($3.3 million): Like Muscala, in the midst of a career-worst season. He’s only played in 29 games for a loaded Nuggets squad and is shooting a horrific 34 percent from the field and 26 percent from 3-point range. He’s a 35 percent 3-point shooter in his career though and at age 24, is far from done. The Nuggets don’t need him but they aren’t going to give him away either since they own his restricted free agent rights after the year. A second-round pick may not be enough to get it done but a first-round pick is far too much. The C’s should keep checking in on him in case the price drops, but Denver probably stands pat with him unless they are bowled over with an offer.
Final thoughts
Adding an above-average shooter to the bench unit in some capacity should be a priority for the front office in the upcoming weeks. It doesn’t need to be a stretch big necessarily and the buyout market may be a potential option later next month (likely with lackluster options though). However, there are a few difference makers on this list (Saric, Bertrans) that could be worth a tall asking price. If the asks are ultimately too steep, finding a cheap shooting option in the backcourt will be a nice alternative. We will go over those names in the coming days.