Boston Celtics: 3 players most likely to be traded before deadline

1. Terry Rozier

Terry Rozier is the most likely player to be traded on the Celtics roster and that should come as no surprise to anyone. Since the start of the season, rumors have been common for the point guard out of Louisville.

This year he hasn’t played well and that has been a major disappointment after an impressive run once Irving went down with an injury last season. One thing that holds Rozier back has been his lack of ability to adjust to coming off the bench.

The difference in his confidence and overall play increases drastically when he’s playing in the starting lineup. Wednesday night’s win against the Cleveland Cavaliers was a perfect example of just that. Rozier started out hot, making his first nine shots he took and finishing with 26 points.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1088250855286099970

This is the kind of play the Celtics need out of their young guard. He’s set to become a restricted free agent this summer and it seems likely that he won’t be back in Boston for another year. It would be hard for the team to find a way to pay him, along with all the money that’s already on the books and still to come.

Because of the possibility of him not returning next season and his decreased play off the bench, Rozier may find himself traded before Feb. 7. His value is not very high because he has struggled this season, but Boston may be able to cultivate a cheap contract or draft pick of some sort.

They have playoff aspirations and he would help Boston when they roll around, but the team must also value not losing him for nothing this summer. Whatever they decide to do is still a mystery and one that remains that way as long as Danny Ainge is running the show.