The Boston Celtics have moved into second in the Eastern Conference standings. Even without Jayson Tatum, they have established that they can contend in the wide-open East this season.
They are tied for the second-most wins across the Association against opponents with a .500 record or better. And they might even get Tatum back during the current campaign. Even if it takes until next season for him to return to All-NBA First Team form, if he's anywhere close to the caliber of player he was before tearing his Achilles, it will be hard for another franchise to make a more meaningful addition before the trade deadline passes.
Boston's success this year could lead to an increased willingness to be buyers between now and Feb. 5. However, even with the way this season is unfolding, the organization must still adhere to certain principles.
The latest intel on the Celtics' trade-deadline approach
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, teams are wondering if Boston will try to get under the luxury tax or make a move to bolster its roster. Regarding the former, if the Celtics get under the luxury tax this season and do so again next year, they will reset the repeater tax.
Still, with a healthy Tatum and the ability to contend for a championship, being underneath that threshold at the end of the next league year might be an option they must forgo.
Scotto notes that Boston is linked to Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac as well as the possibility of parting with Anfernee Simons to shed salary.
It's worth noting that the Clippers have reportedly shown past interest in Simons. A deal involving the eighth-year guard and first-round draft capital could land Zubac. It's a move that would also allow the Celtics to reduce their payroll.
While rival franchises try to decipher their approach between now and the trade deadline, aspects of their thinking are already known.
"The Celtics are under no pressure to reduce their current luxury tax bill, which they've budgeted for, but wouldn't mind going below the tax for the right deal," reports Scotto.
He also shares that Boston has not been willing to part with a future first-round draft pick in order to trade Simons. Nor should it. The 26-year-old guard registered the best plus-minus rating in the Eastern Conference in December. He's averaging 17.8 points over his last five games.
And even on a night where he set a franchise record, generating 27 points off the bench in one half in a 115-101 win over the Chicago Bulls, much of his team's post-game attention went to his growth on the defensive end of the floor.
There's a compelling case for keeping Simons beyond this season. That makes the idea of attaching a first-round draft pick to trade him for the sake of getting below the luxury tax that much more unlikely.
If the Celtics go that route, there's a better chance they're trading Simons and first-round draft capital for an upgrade at center like Zubac. Still, it would be intriguing to see him play alongside Tatum.
However, if they send Simons elsewhere, there's an intriguing pitch for a potential replacement in the backcourt behind Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.