Celtics Trade Predictions Ahead of Thursday's Deadline
The Boston Celtics don't have to make a move by Thursday's NBA trade deadline.
Now, that's technically true of the Association's other 29 franchises, too, but Boston has something those teams don't: the league's best record.
When you have won more than anyone else, you can easily convince yourself you have everything needed to make a title run.
Saying that, though, Boston knows firsthand that being the best isn't always enough. The Celtics leveled up to world-beating bulldozers during the second half of last season, but their run still fell two wins shy of a title.
Will that motivate the front office to add pieces at the deadline? Or have the Celtics already made enough improvements to think they can avoid history repeating itself?
We'll tackle those questions and more with three deadline predictions for the Shamrocks.
Grant Williams Will Be Discussed, but Not Dealt
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Grant Williams is peaking at the perfect time, posting a slew of personal bests ahead of his upcoming venture into restricted free agency.
It's fair to wonder, though, how much higher the 24-year-old can climb. He adds value with his spot-up shooting and defensive versatility, but what other areas can he be reasonably expected to improve? He isn't an elite athlete, doesn't have great size and lacks the kind of handle needed to offer much shot-creation.
He's a helpful role player, sure, but are the Celtics worried he'll collect more than that label deserves? If they are, it might make sense to shop him now, and it wouldn't be hard to find a suitor. Multiple teams have already made calls about his availability, per The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor.
It's an option the Celtics must seriously consider, but it isn't one they'll actually take. He's too important as a high-end reserve and capable spot starter to pull from the rotation for anything less than a blockbuster deal.
Given their place in the standings, the Celtics seem highly unlikely to do anything remotely of that ilk.
Payton Pritchard Will Be Traded
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The Celtics don't need Payton Pritchard.
He is helpful to have as instant offense off the bench, and there's some comfort in having him around in case the injury bug strikes. When this group is full strength, though, there isn't a spot for the 25-year-old.
His playing time has dropped to a new career low (12.6 minutes per night) and on a probably related note, so have his connection rates from the field (40.2 percent) and from three (33.0). He looks like he's searching for a rhythm that Boston's crowded backcourt won't allow him to find.
This should change at the deadline. Pritchard can fill a valuable role elsewhere, and Boston can use the deal to fortify a weak spot somewhere else on the roster.
Boston Will Add a Wing, but Maybe Not a Big
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You may have heard one time or two thousand, but Boston isn't exactly loaded in the frontcourt.
It gets thin in a hurry behind Robert Williams III and Al Horford, which is a problem on its own. When compounded with the facts that the former has a lengthy injury history and the latter is 36 years old, the issue increases exponentially.
Maybe that drives Boston to act at the deadline. The team holds "significant trade interest" in Jakob Poeltl, per The Athletic's Shams Charania. The San Antonio Spurs anchor is one of the best bigs on the market, and the Celtics' interest in him indicates a willingness to possibly pay a premium to beef up its big-man collection.
What isn't spoken of as much, though, is the club's limited depth on the wings. Get past All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and it dries up pretty quickly. It doesn't help that Danilo Gallinari is out indefinitely (torn ACL) or that Sam Hauser is stumbling through a frigid shooting stretch (35.9/29.8/50.0 slash line since Dec. 1).
The Celtics could address both areas at the deadline, but if they only tackle one, don't be surprised to see them add a wing now and hope the buyout market offers up a big. It's easier to envision a rotation-quality center hitting the buyout market (Mason Plumlee and Nerlens Noel come to mind) than it would be with a wing.
