Shams Report: Celtics To Hit Trade Market


Despite dropping their In-Season Tournament Quarter-Final elimination game to the Indiana Pacers, the Boston Celtics, to this point in the season, look like a pretty complete squad, sitting at 15-5 and leading the Eastern Conference. But according to NBA Insider Shams Charania, head of basketball operations Brad Stevens still thinks they've got some work to do on the trade market.

"I expect the Celtics to be active in the trade market as we get closer to February, to try to see if they can beef up their bench rotation," said Charania.

In particular, he feels they could use some veterans who can add something to their late-game execution. He points out that they have a trade exception to use, and a few first-round picks for assets. 

The outer periphery of the rotation includes players like Dalano Banton, Oshae Brissett, Neemias Queta and Svi Mykhailiuk. Room for improvement, to be sure. In addition, Payton Pritchard, averaging 20 minutes as the first guard off the bench, has been struggling badly with his shot this season, hitting on just 37.5% from the field, and just 31.6% percent from three. 

Stevens will be manning the phones as we get closer to the February 8th trade deadline. 

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