The Boston Celtics seem set with their current roster, but these three players seem most likely to be on the move if a trade is made before the 2018 trade deadline.
Right now, the Boston Celtics are looking like a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference. They took some significant strides this offseason after winning the No. 1 seed in the conference in 2016-17, and appear to be in position to repeat as kings of the East again in 2017-18.
Still, that doesn’t mean Boston will be immune to trade talks during this upcoming campaign. With such a loaded roster boasting plenty of intriguing, young prospects, there are bound to be some calls made to Danny Ainge‘s office in the coming months. Whether or not the Celtics want to make a deal is for them to know and us to find out, though.
Either way, the Celtics do have some intriguing trade pieces to offer if a trade is in the plans. As the coaching staff looks to get young players more minutes, several veterans could be shopped. The looming financial issues in 2018 could also force Boston to make some difficult decisions before the trade deadline on Feb. 8.
Instead of speculating on potential deals or targets, though, let’s look at the Celtics’ top trade chips right now.
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So here they are — the three Boston players most likely to be dealt before the 2018 trade deadline. That’s not to say they will be traded at some point between now and early February. It’s just saying that they offer the most value and opportunity for the Celtics.
Jaylen Brown, SF
This one may seem a little out there, but it’s not as crazy as it sounds on the surface. While Jaylen Brown may be the Celtics’ No. 3 overall pick from only one year ago, it wouldn’t come as a huge surprise if the team used him as a trade chip in the near future.
Now it is worth noting that Boston isn’t exactly in the market for anymore stars at this point. With the offseason additions of Gordon Hayward and Jayson Tatum, and the presence of Isaiah Thomas, it doesn’t seem like adding another big-money superstar is really in the cards.
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If something were to go down, though, there’s a very good chance Brown would be involved.
At this moment, he’s arguably their top prospect alongside Tatum. He flashed significant upside as a rookie in 2016-17, averaging 6.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game while connecting on 45.4 percent of his field goals. Although he only saw an average of 17.2 minutes per contest, he figures to see more action at shooting guard this year with Avery Bradley gone.
Brown offers elite athleticism and exciting upside as a former top pick. If the Celtics engage in blockbuster discussions this season, there’s an excellent chance the conversation includes him. It’s not like Boston is going to part with Tatum less than a year after drafting him.
Do I expect Brown to be traded in 2017-18? Not necessarily. A door may open for him to swap jerseys if the right offer comes across Ainge’s desk, though.
Marcus Smart, PG
Earlier in the offseason, the Celtics were considering moving Marcus Smart to make room for the Hayward signing. While that’s no longer a necessity, it doesn’t necessarily mean that their defensive-minded backup point guard is out of the woods.
At this point, I don’t think Boston is eager to unload Smart. The reason he’s on this list is because he offers more value than most of the other pieces the Celtics currently have to offer — at least those they’d want to part with. Smart is a dynamic perimeter defender, which obviously carries significant weight for teams around the NBA.
The Celtics do have a number of fallback options at point guard if Smart were to be moved. The team is very high on Terry Rozier, a 2015 first round pick who showed marked improvement as a sophomore. Kadeem Allen was also drafted back in June, but is expected to spend his rookie campaign mainly in the G League.
Either way, Boston has options behind Thomas. Losing Smart wouldn’t be ideal, but his defensive prowess and status as a restricted free agent in 2018 make him an intriguing trade chip.
Especially with the re-signing of Thomas on the horizon, the Celtics may not want to have to spend big to keep Smart as well. If they feel a big offer sheet could be coming his way next offseason, maybe they decide to deal him for draft picks or a cheaper alternative.
Jae Crowder, SF
At one point, Jae Crowder looked like a legitimate building block for this Celtics team. Now, it appears as though he’s become their most valuable trade asset outside of draft picks.
Based on all the rumors, Crowder has been available via trade for some time. Although the reasons probably had to do more with money or depth, it’s clear Boston isn’t smitten with the idea of keeping the former Florida star around for an extended period of time.
So what makes him such a valuable commodity on the trade market?
Well first, there’s the fact that he’s a capable starter at both the 3 and 4 spots. He’s got the size to battle down low, and the athleticism to stick with most NBA wings. Crowder has shown significant improvement during each of his five seasons, and proved to be a reliable option from downtown in 2016-17.
On top of that, his current salary figures are highly favorable. He’s under contract until 2020, with reasonable salaries of $6.8 million, $7.3 million and $7.8 million over the next three years (via Spotrac.com). For a plus starter like Crowder, you can’t ask for a better financial situation.
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Chances are, if the Celtics move anyone this year, it’ll be Crowder. They’d like to get youngsters Brown and Tatum more minutes, and newcomer Marcus Morris will be looking for opportunities to shine as well. Trading Crowder opens up minutes and should yield Boston even more building blocks for what already appears to be a bright future.