15 realistic trade options for the Celtics trade exception

Creating the biggest trade exception ($28.5 million) in NBA history was the easy part for the Celtics after Gordon Hayward elected to join the Charlotte Hornets at the start of NBA Free Agency. Boston finalized the deal on Sunday by paying the Hornets off with two unprotected second-round picks (2023 and 2024) in order to facilitate the creation of a $28.5 million trade exception for Boston. Given the alternative (Hayward walking in free agency for no compensation), using draft capital to ensure a trade exception would be in play for the next season was a no-brainer for Boston.

Now comes the tough part for Danny Ainge and the Celtics front office: How exactly should the Celtics use their trade exception? When should they use the trade exception? There are lots of possibilities in play since over 90 percent of the NBA can fit into a $28.5 million trade exception (since they are making less than that amount).

For that reason, you’ll hear countless names in the coming weeks about hypothetical trade targets. Some names will be realistic but many will not. To help you sort through that noise as well as the limitations that the Celtics will be managing as they weigh how to use this team-building tool, let’s go through some of the realistic possibilities in play.

FINANCIAL LIMITATIONS FOR THIS CURRENT SEASON

The trade exception will last for a full NBA calendar year (about three weeks into the beginning of NBA free agency in 2021) so there will be plenty of time for the Celtics to use the $28.5 million to acquire a single player or multiple players that earn up to $28.5 million.

However, the Celtics will be dealing with some cap restrictions of their own during this season that will impact just how much of the exception they can use without doing some additional salary clearing of their own.

1. The Celtics will be dealing with a hard cap this season: By giving Tristan Thompson the full mid-level exception in free agency ($9.2 million), that automatically triggers the ‘apron’ which is a hard salary cap that is $6 million higher than the luxury tax line ($132 million). Currently, the Celtics are well short of that apron line (roughly $22-23 million) even after they officially sign Thompson and point guard Jeff Teague (making the current payroll about $117 million) but some quick math shows that bringing aboard any player making $21 million or more using the trade exception won’t be doable as the roster currently stands since it would put Boston over the hard cap.

There are ways for the Celtics to get around this hard cap issue if a target emerges in that higher salary range since player(s) could be traded in a salary dump to clear the necessary cap space but there’s very little expendable money on the team’s roster beyond the team’s core. If the Celtics wait until next offseason (August) to use the exception, they will have access to the full $28 millionexception without having to dump other salaries since the apron limitation will be lifted once the 2020-21 season concludes.

2. The Celtics (probably) want to stay out of the luxury tax this season: We covered the benefits of such a move last week for the Celtics. Staying out of the tax is far from a necessity for Boston this year but the benefits of avoiding the tax would have to be weighed against the potential upside of a player in the present. A key point of interest here is probably the health of Kemba Walker during this upcoming season. If he (or another key player) suffers a major injury or is limited, making an addition that puts the team into the luxury tax wouldn’t make a lot of sense given the long-term ramifications of repeater tax penalities. Currently, the Celtics are about $17 million below the tax line.

So using those two parameters as a guideline, we get a better idea of the kind of players the Celtics are looking at for the current season ($10-20 million range). Now, let's start examining some names that could be available for Boston to inquire on.

Cavs

Larry Nance Jr, PF/C
Salary: $11.7 million (three years/30 million left)
Overview: The Cavs have way too many bigs and Nance Jr. is a good value contract on a rebuilding team so he holds pretty good value around the league especially after adding a decent 3-point shot (35 percent in 2019-20) in the last couple of seasons. The Celtics were high on him during draft night back in 2015 at No. 28 (he went one pick earlier to the Lakers) according to a league source so we know the front office likes him. Another big probably isn’t a big need right now after the team signed Tristan Thompson but the cost control here would be appealing for Boston long-term since Nance Jr. is a movable salary in his prime.

Magic

Evan Fournier, SG

Salary: $17 million (expiring contract)

Analysis: Not sure Fournier would be happy in a bench role after starting every game for the last five years in Orlando but he would be a strong fit from a scoring creation standpoint if Teague ends up being over the hill. He’s probably not worth giving up more than a late first round pick and a younger player for, given his ability to walk in free agency at the end of the season. Despite all that, he's still one of the best pure scorers that could conceivably be available. If Fournier is looking to win over getting another big payday in his next contract, getting his Bird Rights could be useful for Boston to retain him as a top reserve or even a starter at shooting guard if Smart comes off the bench.

Aaron Gordon, F/C
$18.1 million (two years remaining)

Analysis: Given his contract and defensive versatility, he’s one of the best veterans who could conceivably be available on the trade market this offseason. He’s also a potential closing five option for the C’s at center. Orlando is caught in no man’s land between being a borderline playoff team and having a bunch of guys that make a little bit too much money and don’t fit together. The goal here for the Celtics would be hoping that the Magic struggle early this season and become more interested in dumping salary/tanking due to the pandemic and a very talented 2021 draft class than putting together another first round exit in the postseason. The price would be relatively high here for Boston to acquire Gordon compared to other guys on this list (multiple first round picks and/or talented players on rookie deals) but the potential upside of the fit here is very real.

Terrence Ross, SG/SF
Salary: $13.5 million (3 years left)
Analysis: A sharpshooter with good team control in place. The Celtics probably hope that Aaron Nesmith turns into a cheaper version of him in the next couple of years but it’s never a bad idea to have as many wings that can shoot as possible coming off the bench as we saw in Miami last postseason. Given how long his deal is, he would be a target that makes sense as a bench boost if one or both of Langford/Nesmith don’t end up panning out in the short term.

Bulls

Thaddeus Young, SF/PF
Salary: $12.9 million (2 years left)
Analysis: Useful, albeit overpaid bench player who is coming off a down year in Chicago. The new Bulls front office probably wouldn’t mind getting off this deal without having to take back salary but I'm not sure bringing a so-so big like Young in at age 31 at this money makes a lot of sense, especially if Grant Williams is ready for a bigger role for about 25 percent of the price tag. Boston certainly could do better here from a talent standpoint but if the C’s don’t want to give up meaningful assets for a useful player, Young is a good talent to watch who may be motivated to have a role on a winning team.

Tomas Satoransky, Wing
Salary: $10 million (2 years left)
Analysis: Another overpaid guard who doesn’t shoot well enough from 3 to be worth $10 million a year. His size (6-foot-7) makes him a bit more versatile defensively but he’s not going to be able to get on the floor enough to earn his paycheck in all likelihood on a winning team. Not sure he will be able to break into Boston’s backcourt playoff rotation regularly if everyone stays healthy so this would simply be a movable salary more than anything else.

PELICANS

JJ Redick, SG
Salary: $13 million (expiring)
Analysis: An aging sharpshooter who still manages to command great respect from opposing defenses after shooting 45.3 percent from 3 last season. He will have a target on his back from a defensive standpoint in the postseason but as good as a floor spacer the Celtics can hope to find on the trade market. Would cost at least a first-round pick, plus some matching salary (in the event the C's didn't want to use trade exception room on him).

Josh Hart, G
Salary: $3.4 million (expiring, will be restricted free agent)
Analysis: He’s only 25 years old so the Pelicans should be in no rush to move him. However, he is in the final year of his rookie deal so a payday is upcoming and New Orleans may be looking to commit financial resources to higher ceiling prospects on their roster. That makes Hart a potential low-cost addition to the bench of any contender. If Boston's young guards or Teague don't pan out, Hart could be worth a look given his low salary.

THUNDER

Trevor Ariza, SF
Salary: $12.8 million (expiring)
Analysis: It’s unclear how much he has left in the tank at age 35 but he had a nice resurgence with the Blazers last winter after being traded from the Kings (he did not play in the bubble). Average 3-point shot, gritty defender and won’t be taking many shots away from Boston’s other offensive talent if he’s acquired. Since his deal is expiring, the Celtics would probably want to make sure he’s open to staying in Boston beyond next season before attempting to deal for him but he won’t cost much in terms of assets.

George Hill, PG/SG
Salary: $9.5 million (two years left)
Analysis: He should be one of the top targets on this list for Boston. He was the best 3-point shooter in the NBA last season (46 percent from 3) and was routinely the top guard for the Bucks in past postseasons ahead of Eric Bledsoe. He can play on and off the ball and is still only 34 years old even though he’s been in the NBA since 2008. There will be lots of suitors for him around the league so the C’s will need to fork over picks and/or young cost controlled talent to OKC for him. However, his salary is small enough where he fits into Boston’s budget for the short and long-term.

SPURS

Patty Mills, PG
Salary: $12.4 million (expiring)
Analysis: He’s been connected to the Sixers and Bucks in trade rumors last month and the Celtics should be another team that’s added to that list. He’s approaching the end of his prime at age 32 but he’s a playoff proven performer who shoots as well as any point guard available on the trade market (38.2 percent from 3 last season). Mills would bring an immediate spark to the bench unit with his speed and energy and would be a fun backcourt running mate with Marcus Smart off the pine and would also help take the onus off Kemba Walker. Giving up a first-round pick for him would bring risk since he’s an expiring deal but he’s a name to monitor if the Spurs fall out of the playoff race early and Teague is struggling at the backup point guard spot.

Rudy Gay, SF/PF
Salary: $14 million (expiring)
Analysis: Has played pretty well during the last three years in San Antonio but is past his prime. As a score-first wing without a great 3-point shot, not sure if bringing him in alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown would make a ton of sense but wing depth is an issue for Boston if Aaron Nesmith and Romeo Langford aren’t up to the task. C’s wouldn’t have to give up too much here in draft capital since he’s an expiring deal.

ROCKETS

Eric Gordon, SG
Salary: $16.8 million (3 years remaining)
Analysis: The Rockets rewarded the sharpshooting 31-year-old with a $74 million extension last September and he responded with the worst shooting season of his career (36.9% FG, 31.7% 3pt). That combined with the league’s revenue shortfall this year in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic makes giving Gordon an extension probably one of the biggest mistakes of Daryl Morey’s tenure in Houston. The shooting guard would probably be looking at a market half the size of his extension last offseason if the Rockets had simply let him play out his deal. The Celtics would probably get a couple assets from the Rockets (draft pick or player?) if they are willing to absorb this big contract but Gordon would need to show a bounceback in performance after his disastrous season in 2019-20.

PJ Tucker, PF
Salary: $7.9 million (expiring)

Analysis: The Celtics had a chance to land him at the trade deadline back in 2017 and he’s been an invaluable undersized forward for the Rockets the last three years, doing the dirty work on the glass and defensive end while taking countless open corner 3s. While he would be a perfect fit in Boston as a bench player who could play small-ball four and help stretch the floor, the Rockets have no reason to move their starting power forward if they want to contend at all this year.

In order to land him, the Celtics would need to overpay or hope that the Rockets flail during the regular season, which could make him available to the highest bidder midseason if the Rockets turn into sellers. His smaller salary would make it feasible for the C’s to offer a draft pick for him (protected 1st?) midseason if they feel like he’s a guy who could put them over the top. The guess for now though is the price would be too high for the C’s to consider. That could change if his play declines or if the Rockets stumble out of the gate.

GRIZZLIES

Kyle Anderson, SF

Salary: $9.5 million (2 years remaining)
Analysis: A great distributor for his size but also has a questionable jumpshot (31 percent from 3) Wouldn’t take much to pry him away from Memphis but he’s really not doing much to change a team’s upside off the bench given his offensive limitations. Would make sense as a small-ball center but certainly not worth giving up more than a second-round pick for.