The Trade Deadline Decisions the Celtics Should Already Regret

The Trade Deadline Decisions the Celtics Should Already Regret.

At the NBA trade deadline in 2024, the Boston Celtics chose a more understated approach.

For as long as they were in the Eastern Conference standings, that felt like the most likely outcome.

But was that the correct thing to do? Did the Celtics fortify their roster sufficiently with the addition of reserve guard Jaden Springer and backup big man Xavier Tillman? Or ought they to have taken more decisive action to prepare this squad for success?

While Boston might not be second-guessing anything just yet, these three deadline choices could cause regrets.

Tillman’s departure to the Celtics was likely motivated, at the very least, by the two second-round selections that the Memphis Grizzlies acquired in return. Not that Lamar Stevens was a throw-in, exactly, but you have to question whether Boston could have made the payroll work by shipping out a player earning a comparable salary.

Why would the Celtics be regretting trading away Stevens, who played an average of 6.4 minutes per game throughout his 19 appearances this season? Because, to use Jayson Tatum’s words, he was a “key guy to our team” who brought energy to this group.

Tatum told reporters, “Maybe he didn’t play as much, but his personality, how hard he worked,” “Everyone adored Lamar, and he was an excellent teammate. He will be missed by us.

If trading Stevens was the only option to get the frontcourt depth the Celtics needed, then it was probably the right decision. However, Boston might have been better off trying to work things out with someone else since you don’t want to sap the motivation of a locker room that is preparing for the usually difficult stretch run.

As you may have heard a few times, the Celtics are perhaps the greatest top six team in the Association. That’s an acknowledgement that things deteriorate from there as well as a credit to the elite talent this front office has added.

Past All-Stars Jaylen Brown and Tatum, things appear particularly light at the wing spots.

Sam Hauser makes a significant impact, but he is mostly a knockout shooter. Oshae Brissett increases his defensive versatility, but as a non-shooter who stands 6’7”, he can also limit the offensive end. A couple of the Celtics’ guards are able to move into a wing position, although doing so requires giving up some size and length.

A reserve wing seems like the top goal on this team’s deadline wish list, aside from maybe a backup big. Boston might look for greater depth behind its stars if it could start the trade season again.

It’s difficult to argue against trading for Jaden Springer with a second-round selection.

Not even two years have passed when he was selected as the No. 28 pick in the 2021 draft, making him 21 years old. Although he hasn’t played much (less than 500 career minutes) and still has a lot of offensive polish to gain, his defense has already attracted attention. For example, NBA.com reports that this season, Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, and Trae Young shot a combined 6-of-20 against Springer.

It made sense for someone to take on the developmental project because there might be some true talent here. But was Boston the right club to be that one? When will the Celtics have the time to devote to Springer’s growth? To improve his game, he needs floor time, yet this.

Once more, give us the player if you had to choose between Springer and a second-round pick. However, Boston was not forced to make that decision. Instead of sending that second-round pick to another team, it might have selected a player with a more developed skill set and, maybe, a higher chance of actually making the rotation.