Celtics Rumors: BOS is searching for frontcourt depth prior to the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline.
NBA insider Marc Stein reports that the Boston Celtics “continue to search for additional frontcourt depth” prior to the NBA trade deadline.
That doesn’t seem like a major move, though, since Stein notes that the organization is “willing only to part with players on the most nominal contracts in any potential upcoming moves.”
The Celtics are five games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and have the best record in the NBA (37-11).
Marcus Smart, who had grown to be the team’s leader, was sacrificed in the somewhat risky trade of Kristaps PorziŇģis. PorziņĿis is averaging 19.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and shooting 35.8 percent from outside the arc, which is precisely what they needed.
After Shaquille O’Neal left, Celtics player Jayson Tatum likened the team to the Los Angeles Lakers in an interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. Not until they paired Kobe Bryant with another great big man, Pau Gasol, did the Lakers flourish once more.
“Kobe really needed Pau for those last two championships that they won together,” Tatum stated. “Whatever path that I’m on and we’re on, KP really feels like the missing piece.”
Jrue Holiday is averaging better long-range shooting than he has in the past and is giving Boston the perimeter defense it lost when it traded for Smart
.Nobody is looking stronger in the race for the championship than the Celtics, who according to NBA.com have the highest net rating (plus-9.5) in the league, in part because of what Holiday and PorziņĿis have brought to the table.
If Boston can pull it off, it makes sense to add some muscle behind Porziņęis or bolster the power forward alternatives to go with Tatum and Al Horford. However, Brad Stevens, president of basketball operations, had the luxury of approaching the deadline knowing that substantial reinforcements are not needed.