Celtics Trade Rumors: Otto Porter Jr., Lonnie Walker IV Linked Ahead of NBA Deadline

The Boston Celtics have reportedly been "weighing various options who could deepen" the team's bench ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, and a pair of players have caught their eye.

Per that report, Toronto Raptors forward Otto Porter Jr. and Brooklyn Nets guard Lonnie Walker IV are on the team's "radar."

Porter, 30, would offer more depth on the wing, though staying healthy has become a major issue for the veteran forward. He's only played in a combined 23 games across the past two seasons for Toronto, adding to a long list of injury issues.

The Celtics may need depth, but they can likely find a more reliable option.

Walker, 25, would certainly provide an influx of scoring off the bench. He's been solid for the Nets this year, averaging 12 points in just 18.8 minutes per game in a reserve role while shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from three.

That impact off the bench has "generated a wealth of interest from playoff teams while playing well on a minimum contract," per Fischer. He'd make a lot of sense for Boston in a similar role.

The Celtics have been excellent in the 2023-24 season, with an NBA-best 38-12 record, but depth is a weak spot. A core four of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday is formidable, while Derrick White rounds out the best starting 5 in basketball and Al Horford still offers a positive impact on the block off the bench.

Beyond that, however, the pickings are slim.

Granted, it hasn't kept the team from playing well this season, and come the postseason expanded minutes for the stars and staggered lineups will help the team deal with some of those depth concerns. But it's never bad to have more options off the bench, especially if injuries become a factor throughout the course of the regular season or playoffs.