Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
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Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have already made one big move ahead of the NBA trade deadline on Thursday afternoon, acquiring center Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls.
In that deal, the Celtics brought in Vucevic and a second-round pick in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick. Boston badly wanted a center and was able to make that happen.
Now, the question becomes, are the Celtics done before the deadline? Could they look to swing another deal? That remains a legitimate possibility.
That being said, with the center position now addressed, what could the front office try to do next? Brad Stevens has quite a few options he could choose from.
Keeping that in mind, Boston has been linked to three potential trade options just hours before the deadline arrives.
Boston Celtics Could Explore These Trade Scenarios
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale believes that the next move for the Celtics could be to try and get underneath the luxury-tax threshold. He thinks that flipping Sam Hauser could make that happen.
Not only did Favale suggest trading Hauser, he also offered up three potential trade targets for Boston. Those three targets are Svi Mykhailiuk, Justin Champagnie, and Brice Sensabaugh.
“Calling up the new-and-improved Utah Jazz and inquiring about Svi Mykhailiuk or Brice Sensabaugh is the easy way to go. They still have the flexibility to take in Hauser’s money and send out one of their two cost-controlled players. Mykhailiuk’s size makes him more attractive, but Sensabaugh is tantalizing for a squad that just jettisoned Anfernee Simons,” Favale wrote.
“Failing that, the Washington Wizards have one of the most under-the-radar three-and-D wings in Justin Champagnie. His offense is up-and-down, but he’s someone who can knock down wide-open jumpers while handling far more on defense than Hauser (or Simons).”
Trading Hauser away would not make the fan base very happy. He has become a fan favorite due to his elite three-point shooting ability.
Taking a Look at the Three Potential Trade Targets
Mykhailiuk would be an interesting option for the Celtics if they were to trade Hauser away. He has played in 43 games and made 41 starts with the Utah Jazz this season, averaging 8.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. In addition, he has shot 47 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from three-point range.
Champagnie would not help replace the three-point shooting of Hauser. He has averaged 7.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.8 steals per game in 46 appearances and 11 starts with the Washington Wizards. His shooting percentages are 50 percent overall and 30.1 percent from the three-point line.
As for Sensabaugh, he could make some sense for Boston. He has played in 48 games and nine stars with the Jazz, averaging 12. points per game. He has also chipped in 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists, while shooting 45.3 percent and 33.9 percent from deep.
More than likely, the Celtics would prefer to hold onto Hauser. Trading him away would weaken one of the team’s strengths, which is three-point shooting.
However, if Stevens wants to get under the luxury tax, moving on from Hauser might be the right way to accomplish that goal.