Celtics trade Vincent Poirier to Thunder for protected second round pick

The Celtics offseason shuffling continued again on Thursday evening as they attempted to clear up some roster spots. The first step in the process was moving Vincent Poirier with cash to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a future protected second-round pick.

Poirier played in 22 games during his rookie season with Boston in 2019-20, averaging 1.9 points (47.2% FG), 2.0 rebounds, and 5.9 minutes played.

The draft pick heading Boston's way will never see the light of day (it's top-55 protected) so it's just a placeholder for what is a salary dump by the Celtics here. Boston needs roster room and Poirier is making $2.6 million next season so the C's sent him along with some cash to the Thunder in order to free up the roster room. The Thunder will be taking him into a traded player exception, according to a league source so no money will be coming back Boston's way.

The move opens the door for the Celtics to salary dump Enes Kanter's $5 million in a separate trade with Memphis tonight if they desire. The C's are still weighing their options on that front according to a league source after Hayward opted out of his contract.

Other Celtics moves 

--The Celtics picked up Semi Ojeleye's team option for next season worth $1.8 million. However, this means little since the salary is not guaranteed. It's possible Ojeleye could be kept or used in a trade but the Celtics will have the ability to waive him before Saturday if they don't want to guarantee his salary. Ojeleye could be a victim of the numbers on the C's depth chart after struggling in the postseason. The Celtics could eventually be interested in a reunion according to a league source but they likely will prioritize bigger names in free agency first.

--The Celtics also extended qualifying offers to two-way players Tacko Fall and Tremont Waters on Thursday night, making both free agents. Fall is expected to re-sign with Boston on a two-way deal while Waters will have a chance to earn a 15-man roster spot during training camp. He may end up signing another two-way deal with the team if he doesn't make the final 15.