Making a deal is tough in the NBA, particularly when most of the salary on your roster is committed to guys you don’t want to trade. That’s the conundrum the Celtics find themselves in ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. They are looking for meaningful upgrades to the bench around their current core but most good players in the NBA that aren’t on their rookie contracts make lots of money, creating a conundrum for the front office in how to acquire some useful piece without dismantling too much of the team’s bench and youth.
Small salary trade: Team A sends out 0 to $6.533 million in salary. Team A can receive 175 percent of what they send out, plus $100,000.
Example: The Celtics could trade Daniel Theis and his $5-million salary and take back 175 percent of his salary ($8.75 million) plus $100,000 so the most they could take back is $8.85 million for him. That could be the salary of just one player or multiple players.
Mid-size salary trade: Team A sends out $6.533 million to $19.6 million in salary. Team A can receive the outgoing salary amount plus $5 million in return.
Example: The Celtics could trade Marcus Smart ($12.55 million) in salary and receive up to $17.55 million in return for him with one player or multiple players.
Big salary trade: Team A sends out player(s) making $19.6 million or more in salary. Team A can receive 125 percent of the outgoing salary plus $100,000.
Example: The Celtics could trade Gordon Hayward ($32.7 million) and receive up to $40.975 million in return for him in multiple salaries from players, based on the 125 percent number plus $100,000.
