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Boston Celtics: Complete 2017 offseason grades

By Josh Cornelissen

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 1: Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward get introduced as Boston Celtics on September 1, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 1: Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward get introduced as Boston Celtics on September 1, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NBA Trade Grades
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images /

Traded Avery Bradley for Marcus Morris

The Boston Celtics entered the summer with their sights set on the highest of free agents. Just as last year they were granted a meeting to pitch Kevin Durant on the Celtics, this summer they had the same opportunity with Gordon Hayward. When he agreed to sign with Boston, they then made a move to clear the requisite cap space to fit in his maximum salary.

Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics /

Boston Celtics

While presented with a number of options, the Celtics ultimately opted to move Avery Bradley. Rather than simply dumping him on a team with cap space, however, they flipped him to the Detroit Pistons for Marcus Morris, a combo forward making little enough to fit in Hayward’s contract.

Bradley was a key member of the Celtics’ rotation for the past few seasons, developing into a high-level individual defender and a capable shooter and secondary playmaker. He was the perfect fit next to a small point guard such as Isaiah Thomas, as Bradley could take the other team’s greatest backcourt threat.

But Bradley was going to be an unrestricted free agent after next season, and would surely demand either a significant raise or sign elsewhere. By trading him now, the Celtics can groom Marcus Smart into that role while spending considerably less. As far as winning this season, Boston may have taken a small step back in the deal, but in the long run this was the right team-building move.

Morris is no slouch, however, providing capable two-way play for Detroit after signing a bargain contract in Phoenix. The Suns offloaded him in their pursuit of LaMarcus Aldridge two summers ago, and Morris is again part of a salary-clearing trade, except this time going the other way. It is possible he may start for the new-look Celtics, but if not his defense and shooting ability should guarantee him a place in the rotation.

Grade: B

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