the Celtics Should Already Regret from the Trade Deadline

At the NBA trade deadline in 2024, the Boston Celtics chose a more understated approach.

For as long as they were in the Eastern Conference standings, it felt like the most likely outcome.

But was that the correct thing to do? Did the Celtics fortify their roster sufficiently with the addition of reserve guard Jaden Springer and backup big man Xavier Tillman? Or ought they to have taken more decisive action to prepare this squad for success?

While Boston might not be second-guessing anything just yet, these three deadline choices might cause regrets.

Losing a Locker Room Presence

Tillman’s departure to the Celtics was likely motivated, at the very least, by the two second-round selections that the Memphis Grizzlies acquired in return. Not that Lamar Stevens was a throw-in, exactly, but you have to question whether Boston could have made the payroll work by shipping out a player earning a comparable salary.

Why would the Celtics be regretting trading away Stevens, who played an average of 6.4 minutes per game throughout his 19 appearances this season? Because, to borrow Jayson Tatum’s words, he was a “key guy to our team” who brought energy to this group.

Tatum told reporters, “Maybe he didn’t play as much, but his personality, how hard he worked,” “Everyone adored Lamar, and he was an excellent teammate. He will be missed by us.

The Dealing Stevens was perhaps the best course of action for the Celtics, since they needed depth in the frontcourt. However, Boston would have been better off trying to work things out with someone else since you don’t want to sap the motivation of a locker room that is preparing for the usually difficult stretch run.

Not Adding to the Wing Rotation

As you may have heard a few times, the Celtics are perhaps the greatest top six team in the Association. That’s an acknowledgement that things deteriorate from there as well as a credit to the elite talent this front office has added.

Past All-Stars Jaylen Brown and Tatum, things appear particularly weak at the wing spots.

Sam Hauser makes a significant impact, but he is mostly a knockout shooter. Oshae Brissett increases his defensive versatility, but as a non-shooter who stands 6’7″, he may also limit the offensive end. A couple of the Celtics’ guards are able to move into a wing position, although doing so requires giving up some size and length.

Perhaps a spare wing seemed like the main backup outside top goal on this team’s wish list for deadlines. Boston may look for greater depth behind its stars if it could start the trade season again.

Taking on a Developmental Project

It’s difficult to argue against trading for Jaden Springer with a second-round selection.

Not nearly two years have passed when he was selected as the No. 28 selection in the 2021 draft, making him 21 years old. Although he hasn’t played much (less than 500 career minutes) and still has a lot of offensive polish to gain, his defense has already attracted attention. For example, NBA.com reports that this season, Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, and Trae Young shot a combined 6-of-20 against Springer.

It made sense for someone to take on the developing project since there could be some true talent here. But was Boston the right club to be that one? When will the Celtics have the time to devote to Springer’s growth? To improve his game, he needs floor time, yet this The championship-chasing group cannot afford his development setbacks.

Once more, give us the player if you had to choose between Springer and a second-round selection. However, Boston was not forced to make that decision. Instead of sending that second-round selection to another team, it might have selected a guy with a more developed skill set who would have had a higher chance of actually making the rotation.