Trade Targets for Celtics to Avoid at 2024 Deadline

You're likely to hear plenty of predictions between now and the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline, most of which will go wrong.

Here's one that will surely be spot-on: The Boston Celtics won't make any dramatic deals.

They made their splashes over the offseason, when they added both Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday. Plus, they had one of the league's best rosters even before those additions, so the need for substantial tweaks is nonexistent.

Boston could still poke around the margins for ways to upgrade its bench, but as it does, it should avoid the following three potential targets.

Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 12: Davion Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on January 12, 2024 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Davion Mitchell is a prime candidate for a scenery change. The No. 9 pick of the 2021 draft was a high-mileage rotation regular for the Kings as a rookie, but he's seen his role get repeatedly sliced ever since.

The third-year guard isn't even getting nightly minutes anymore, as Sacramento has seemingly concluded that his dogged on-ball defense isn't enough to outweigh his limitations as a scorer and shooter.

Theoretically, Boston could take a flier in an attempt to give its backup backcourt more bite on the defensive end.

In reality, though, he needs developmental minutes that the Celtics simply can't afford to give. And given how many other stoppers they have on the roster, they would rarely—if ever—find themselves in a position of needing Mitchell's defense more than Payton Pritchard's offense.

Otto Porter Jr., Toronto Raptors

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CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 26: Otto Porter Jr. #32 of the Toronto Raptors looks to pass the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 26, 2023 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 2023 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has a specific goal in mind: "see how we can find another big wing or so that can help us."

Wing depth could certainly help Boston, though that's likely any the wish list of every win-now shopper. The Celtics also don't have the biggest trade budget, since all of their significant salaries are attached to key contributors.

As Stevens and Co. sift through the bargain bin, it's possible Otto Porter Jr. might warrant a second glance. He's a 6'8" swingman who can line up anywhere along the frontcourt, plus he has championship experience and a career 39.7 three-point percentage to boot.

If Boston makes a move for a depth piece, though, it will want to find a reliable reserve. Porter simply can't be that due to a lengthy injury history. He played fewer than 30 games in three of the past four seasons, and he's only made 15 appearances in this one. Even on Boston's budget, it can find someone more trustworthy than Porter.

Lonnie Walker IV, Brooklyn Nets

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 21: Lonnie Walker IV #8 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket during the game against the LA Clippers on January 21, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Celtics don't get a lot of creation from their bench, so the idea of a spark-plug scorer like Lonnie Walker IV could be intriguing.

His production is erratic, but his good nights can be hugely helpful. He has netted 20-plus points six times this season, and he logged fewer than 28 minutes in all but one of those tilts.

However, he is basically a 6'4" scoring specialist. What are the chances he could actually crack the playoff rotation? There might be one backcourt backup in the postseason rotation, and what would make Walker's quick-strike scoring the better choice than Pritchard's superior shooting and ball-control? Walker is bigger and a better athlete, sure, but his physical tools have never translated to consistent defense.

Oh, and he's had enough tussles with the injury bug that the next time he tops 70 games will be the first in his career. Some teams are desperate enough for offense that he'll be worth the risk anyway, but the Celtics clearly aren't one of them.