MASSIVE Report Reveals Celtics PURSUING Trade…
Next up on the Boston Celtics’ agenda: a chance to extend the longest losing skid in NBA history. On paper, their meeting with Detroit might rank as the season’s biggest mismatch. The Pistons will walk into TD Garden on Thursday with 27 straight losses. Boston will arrive with an undefeated home record of 14-0.
Even with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown questionable for the game, the Celtics will be heavy favorites. They will try not to look past the matchup, but at The Athletic, that’s part of what we’re paid to do. The Feb. 8 trade deadline is just six weeks away. Here’s an early look at several factors that will help determine Brad Stevens’ course of action.
determine Brad Stevens’ course of action.
The TPE landscape
The Grant Williams sign-and-trade this summer left the Celtics with a $6.2 million traded player exception (TPE). It could be a useful trade chip, though just how useful remains to be seen.
At that price or lower, it’s difficult to find a player who would potentially be available and also have a realistic chance of helping the Celtics in a playoff series. Would the Hawks consider moving on from Saddiq Bey? He would fit comfortably into the trade exception and give Boston another playable wing in the postseason. Though Bey has been pretty productive for the Hawks this season, they won’t be able to pay everybody and could explore all of their options before he hits free agency this summer. At 12-18, they could be looking at a substantial roster shake-up soon.
Some other TPE targets would be at least mildly intriguing. Not many first-round picks
