Celtics Trades to Consider After 1st Wave of NBA Free Agency

Through the draft, trades and contract extensions, the Boston Celtics have pumped a ton of resources into their roster and assembled one of the most talented teams in the NBA.

Still, they fell two wins shy of a title this season and might have more work to do if they want to close the gap.

Finding additional help won't be easy given the assets they've used to put together this squad, but they are sitting on a few trade exceptions—including a massive $17.1 million exception from the Evan Fournier deal—that could lead them to another useful player.

With that in mind, let's spotlight three players Brad Stevens and the front office could target with their giant exception.

Jordan Clarkson

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 28: Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a three point play during the first half of Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 28, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

The fire sale is scorching-hot in Salt Lake City.

The Utah Jazz have already traded away Rudy Gobert and Royce O'Neale this summer, and they're now willing to field offers on Donovan Mitchell, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

This should get the attention of the Shamrocks, though not for an asset-draining Donovan deal. Rather, Boston should see if an offer of draft picks and financial flexibility is enough to pry scoring guard Jordan Clarkson loose.

The 2020-21 Sixth Man of the Year, Clarkson is a quick-strike scorer who can make something out of nothing. Given Boston's struggles at times to generate offense from players not named Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown, Clarkson's shot-creation could perk up the Celtics in a complementary role.

Derrick Favors

Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 11: Derrick Favors #15 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on February 11, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

As the Celtics put the finishing touches on their 2022-23 roster, they might sense a need for one more big body to throw into the frontcourt rotation.

Could Derrick Favors fill that void?

The 30-year-old is almost ancient by the Oklahoma City Thunder's terms, but he could still provide Boston with length, strength and interior oomph. He could provide protection behind Robert Williams III and Al Horford and allow the Celtics to stay big even when those two sit.

The Thunder can't be asking for much in return for Favors, who has averaged fewer than 17 minutes each of the past two seasons. There are worse ways to use a future second-round pick than snatching Favors out of the Sooner State.

Kelly Olynyk

Nic Antaya/Getty Images

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 08: Kelly Olynyk #13 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena on April 08, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. 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. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

The Celtics initially snared Kelly Olynyk in a 2013 draft-night deal, and a reunion could help fill the void created when Daniel Theis was traded away.

The player Olynyk is now isn't that much different from the one Boston first rostered nearly a decade ago. In fact, his 2021-22 numbers bear a striking resemblance to his rookie production.

He has his drawbacks—namely, anything related to defense—but he remains a steady source of inside-out scoring, rebounding and slick passing.

With the Detroit Pistons playing the rebuilding game, an Olynyk deal should not be cost-prohibitive.