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The Celtics had an active trade deadline this week, acquiring some depth at the big man position with Nikola Vucevic in hopes of strengthening their roster balance for a playoff push. However, Brad Stevens still has work to do in the coming days, as the team has three open spots on the 15-man roster. Boston has kept one roster spot open all year for flexibility, but the team also added two more openings on Thursday.
Boston sent Chris Boucher with a 2027 second-round pick to the Utah Jazz in what was effectively a salary dump. Boston also dealt away Josh Minott to the Brooklyn Nets and Xavier Tillman to the Hornets to open up roster spots and get below the luxury tax line. Amari Williams has already been promoted to the 15-man roster with a two-way deal, bringing Boston’s roster back up to 12 players post deadline.
The team currently has until Feb. 19 to get their roster back to 14 players per league rules. Boston could eventually look to promote another of their two-way players to fill a final spot on the roster (Ron Harper Jr.? Max Shulga?), which they did two seasons ago with Neemias Queta. However, that sort of remainder of season signing may not come until much later in the regular season for salary cap/luxury tax purposes.
In order to stay under the tax line, the Celtics will need to time out their signings carefully. Boston currently sits about $843,000 below the line. That limitation could lead to Shulga also getting a roster spot down the road since his cap hit will be far lower than a veteran free agent signing. Boston will have flexibility to sign one veteran to their roster later in the season though so they could pursue some buyout options later in the regular season.
Boston may look to eventually bolster its team on the buyout market with some intriguing guards and wings expected to become available in the coming days. The team has the ability to sign any free agent that hits the open market after getting under the first apron this past week. However, a signing may not come until much later in the regular season for the tax reasons covered previously. A player may have to wait around for a bit before the Celtics can sign them for the year. Some 10-day contracts are also possible as well to fill the gap.
Let’s examine some players who could be available later in the year once they part ways with their current teams.
Cam Thomas, G, Nets (already waived): One of the bigger surprises of the trade deadline was the Nets announcing they are waiving the 24-year-old guard. The explosive scorer has dealt with injuries for much of this season, appearing in just 24 games including eight starts. He’s been a high volume and low percentage shooter throughout his career but could provide some scoring punch off the bench following Anfernee Simons’ departure.
Jevon Carter, G, Bulls (already waived): The Bulls had a ton of guards at one point this week and Carter was a roster casualty. Carter, 30, isn’t a huge contributor at this point in his career, but he has hit 41.0% of his 3-pointers this year. Carter isn’t a huge name and isn’t likely for the Celtics considering they’ll likely want someone who could be a rotation player.
Mike Conley, G, Hornets (already waived): Conley was traded twice this week. He started with the Timberwolves then was traded to the Bulls. Finally, he was moved to Charlotte, where he was waived. Since he was traded twice, there’s a chance Conley just ends up back in Minnesota. The likable veteran would be a great locker room addition for the Celtics and could provide solid backup point guard play. Conley, 38, averaged 4.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 44 games (nine starts) for Minnesota this season.
Lonzo Ball, G, Jazz: Ball struggled offensively this season with the Cavs before getting moved to the Jazz. Ball’s efficiency plummeted this year, shooting 30.1% from the field and 27.2% on 3-pointers. He’s a notable name in that fans know him, but there’s a reason Cleveland offloaded him this year. He averaged 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Cavs this season in limited playing time. Ball would be another ball handler in Boston with good defensive instincts, but his game has clearly taken a step back.
Chris Paul, G, Raptors: Paul was sent home from the Clippers midseason ahead of the team’s turnaround. He’s a strong personality but would bring a wealth of experience. Paul is 40 and in the final season of his career. He had a solid campaign with the Spurs last season, but it’s unclear how much he’d be able to help the Celtics this year. Before getting sent home from the Clippers, Paul averaged 2.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 16 games played.
Haywood Highsmith, F, Nets (already waived): The former Heat wing has not played a game this year due to undergoing offseason surgery. However, Michael Scotto of Hoopshype reports he is drawing interest from playoff teams and is expected to be cleared to play later this month. Highsmith played big minutes for the Heat last year, averaging 6.5 points and 3.4 rebounds but Boston’s crowded wing position likely won’t make him a priority target even after Josh Minott was dealt.
Khris Middleton, G/F, Mavericks: The veteran scorer was sent to the Mavericks on Wednesday as part of the Anthony Davis blockbuster. Dallas appears to have no intentions of remaining competitive this season with Kyrie Irving still out so he could hit the open market to try to boost a contender. The need for him in Boston wouldn’t be that high with the team’s wing depth but he’s certainly one of the more playoff proven names on this list.