15 realistic trade targets for Celtics on deadline day

Trade deadline day is here and a number of players around the league are no longer viable targets thanks to being dealt already to new teams (Alec Burks, Glenn Robinson, Malik Beasley) or because their current squads have made them unavailable (Bogdan Bogdanovic). With that in mind, let’s revisit an updated list of names that could be had for Boston at the right price. 

BACKCOURT/WING SHOOTERS

Damyean Dotson ($1.6 million)
6-foot-5
Age: 25
3pt: 34.1 percent
3pt career: 35.6 percent (3.5 attempts/G)
Overview: After playing a major role for the Knicks last year, he’s been relegated to bench duty in a crowded Knicks rotation, knocking down a subpar 34 percent of his 3s. The former second-round pick will be a restricted free agent this summer so the Knicks won’t be looking to give him away. However, giving up much more than a second-round pick for a guy who is putting up lackluster numbers for one of the worst teams in the NBA isn’t exactly a good sign that he would be a difference-maker.

Jordan McRae ($1.6 million)
6-foot-5
Age: 28
3pt: 37.7 percent
3pt career: 36.4 percent (1.9 attempts per game)
Overview: The 37.7 percent shooter from 3-point range is having a career year for the Wizards, averaging 12.8 points per game. He suffered a sprained ankle last week and has missed the past few games but would be worth a late second-round pick potentially if he gets a clean bill of health. He’s never played a meaningful playoff minute in his career but should serve as an adequate floor spacer for the second unit when an offensive boost is required.

Denzel Valentine ($3.3 million)
6-foot-4
Age: 26
3pt: 39.5 percent
3pt career: 37.7 percent (4.1 attempts per game)
Overview: The former lottery pick has been in the dog house for Bulls coach Jim Boylen during much of the past season before finally getting a shot in rotation in recent weeks once injuries have led up. He’s strictly just a catch-and-shoot player (just five free throw attempts all year) but he’s a good one at that although his shot selection can be questionable at times. His defense is what keeps him off the floor though and may be poor enough for the C’s to pass on him. Will be a restricted free agent at the end of the year.

Reggie Bullock ($4 million)
6-foot-6
Age:28
3pt: 33.8 percent
3pt career: 38.8 percent (6.3 attempts)
Overview: After missing the first few months of the season due to a neck injury, Bullock has taken over the starting shooting guard job in New York. He’s a high volume 3-point specialist and his modest $4 million salary would make him a good fit for Boston’s payroll next year (team option for 2020-21). The problem? The Knicks would be happy to keep him at that price as well and they are actually trying to improve so dumping him for a late first-round pick won’t help in the interim. It’s an offer worth making but I’d expect Knicks to pass on it. He’s not good enough to offer more.

Bryn Forbes ($2.875 million)
6-foot-2
Age: 26
3pt: 36.4 percent
3pt career: 39.4 percent
Overview: Forbes is the Spurs’ starting shooting guard and with San Antonio still in the thick of the playoff race, they could certainly refuse calls on him. However, there is a logjam in the backcourt for San Antonio and Forbes is due for a big raise this offseason as he hits restricted free agency. With Patty Mills, Derrick White, Dejounte Murray and Lonnie Walker already under contract for next year, getting an asset in return for Forbes now may be the smart play. He’s having a down season overall for San Antonio but is one of the better perspective catch-and-shoot options that could be available. Whether or not the C’s think he’s worth a late first-round pick for a potential rental remains to be seen but that’s likely going to be the asking price to get the Spurs to consider moving him.

Long shots for various reasons

Malik Monk ($4 million): He’s a former lottery pick under control for next season. He’s also shooting 28 percent from 3-point range this year. Probably not a viable option but maybe Ainge wants to buy very low.

Luke Kennard ($3.8 million): The third-year guard is sidelined with knee tendinitis until the All-Star Break, which makes him a huge question mark for the rest of the year. The Sixers already reportedly inquired on him earlier this month as a shooting option and the Suns had some traction on a deal before the price got too high involving the protections around their first-round pick. The guess here is that the Memphis pick gets the deal done but it’s hard to see the C’s matching that asking price if there are any concerns about his health.

Tougher to match salaries but still possible

E’Twaun Moore ($8.6 million): The former Celtic is a 39 percent career 3-point shooter and is having a nice season off the bench for the Pelicans. He’s a bit of a defensive liability (like most guys on this list) but would spread the floor nicely on the second unit next to Marcus Smart. The biggest problem with adding him? C’s would likely need to send out three guys to match the money if Kanter isn’t used (and he shouldn’t be). Giving up Edwards, Poirier and Green for Moore might be a tough sell for the front office if cheaper options are available.

Langston Galloway ($7.3 million): Same scenario as Moore. Would still require a 3-for-1 option barring some stacking in a subsequent trade. Galloway is in the midst of a career year though, knocking down 40 percent of his 3s in Detroit. As good of a spacer that’s available on the market right now.

Marco Belinelli ($5.8 million): His defense is a huge weak spot into his 30s but protecting him by playing him with strong defenders like Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum should be valuable for the veteran. On the flip side, he is a playoff proven shooter that is a 37 percent career 3-point shooter and a very capable passer. He will come cheap as he’s on the outskirts of the Spurs rotation. Green, Poirier and a second-round pick or Edwards/Poirier (with something else coming back) should get the deal done.

Stretch shooters

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 bad second-round pick.

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.  His defense is 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.

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 have fallen out of the playoff race of late with a four-game losing streak which could open the door to his availability.

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 from elsewhere may prevent that. His cheap salary makes it very easy to add Saric without giving up any important rotation pieces but a first-round pick would be required to get deal done in all likelihood.

Nemanja Bjelica ($6.8 million): The Kings season is in a bit of a freefall 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 few weeks, 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.

Davis Bertans ($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 in the past few weeks. 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.

Bonus name long shots 

Christian Wood: Another stretch big shooter that will cost more than a second round pick based on how he's playing lately.

Jakob Poeltl: Probably unavailable but would be a nice defensive upgrade if Kanter is moved in a separate deal.

Derrick Rose: Would be an expensive addition but Brad Stevens called him the best player on the floor during the Pistons win in Boston last month. His injury history could cause C's to steer clear.

Alonzo Trier: Has been buried on the bench in New York and is still very young/raw but has more scoring ability than a lot of the deep C's rookies right now.

Dwayne Bacon: Having a miserable shooting season for Hornets but knocked down 43 percent last season.

Yogi Ferrell: 37 percent career shooter but a liability as a defender at 6-feet.

Josh Hart: Would take at least a first round pick to pry him away but he's under control for another season at cheap money. Good playmaker and shooter off the bench.