Fresh off a disappointing loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics are looking to tweak their roster some.
Stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will remain with the team. In fact, the two All-NBA performers are expected to sign super-max contract extensions valued at a combined $613 million.
That staggering number aside, Boston is also attempting to create a more well-rounded roster by trading one of four guards.
“The Celtics are particularly loaded in the backcourt with Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard all under contract for next season and the team is investigating moving a guard to improve other areas of the roster per a league source.”
Brian Robb on MassLive about the Boston Celtics’ offseason plans
The presence of Pritchard shouldn’t be seen as too much of a surprise. The former first-round pick from Oregon found himself out of the Celtics’ rotation this past season and has been demanding more playing time.
With that said, trading Pritchard likely wouldn’t move the needle too much. Even if Boston were to combine him with the 35th pick in next week’s NBA Draft and other assets, acquiring anyone of substance wouldn’t be in the cards.
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Who might the Boston Celtics trade this summer?
Smart, White and Brogdon all bring a lot to the table for Boston. A top-six pick of the Celtics all the way back in 2014, Smart is a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year. White has been a consistent option since being acquired from San Antonio midway through the 2021-22 season. Meanwhile, Brogdon is the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
It might be all about what Boston can acquire in a trade. Brogdon and Smart would likely net the most in return.
With the Celtics looking to add to the frontcourt, acquiring an upgrade over Robert Williams would make sense. Depth in the low post was an issue for Boston a season ago.
To a varying degree, Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers), John Collins (Atlanta Hawks) and Karl-Anthony Towns have been involved in NBA trade rumors recently. Whether the assets the Boston Celtics boast would be enough to acquire any of them remains to be seen.