The 2021-22 NBA season has been one riddled with ups and downs for the Boston Celtics. It has been favorable lately for them now as they sit above .500 with a 25-24 record. The team has won seven of their previous ten outings and is riding a two-game win streak.
There is still plenty of work that can be done on the Celtics’ roster. With the NBA trade deadline approaching, the team has a need to add more pieces around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but also, could benefit from shedding some salary to avoid the luxury tax.
According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, the Boston Celtics have conducted trade discussions as of late with Al Horford being a focus, but he faces a ‘limited market.’
Al Horford’s name has been mentioned more often in trade conversations this week. The 35-year-old has just $14.5 million of next season’s $26.5 million salary guaranteed for any team in search of upcoming cap relief, but there would seem to be a limited market for the veteran center.
Other potential trade candidates are Dennis Schroder and Aaron Nesmith as the Celtics remain intent on getting below the luxury tax threshold—making it a ‘key goal.’
Dennis Schroder and Aaron Nesmith continued to be labeled as likely trade candidates by league personnel as well. Getting out of the tax appears to remain a key goal for Boston.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Teams Keep Trying To Trade For Celtics’ Robert Williams
With the luxury tax threshold being set at $136.6 million this season, the Celtics appear to be set to pay a luxury tax bill of $9.8 million to the NBA. For a team that isn’t a bonafide contender, does ownership really want to pay such a fee given the circumstances.
When the Celtics made the decision in the offseason to move Kemba Walker’s massive contract to the Oklahoma City Thunder, it required taking on a big contract like Al Horford. There is still work that needs to be done if the team’s goal is to avoid paying the luxury tax.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Teams Keep Trying To Trade For Celtics’ Robert Williams
There appears to be a need for the Celtics to figure out what they are doing long-term with Robert Williams given he’s started alongside Al Horford for much of the season. Is playing two big men really the personnel style the team wants to deploy? If not, would they start Williams at center full-time if Horford is moved?
It appears as though Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens will need to get creative with exploring potential avenues to improve the roster. What is known, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown not being included in a trade is what’s best for the franchise.
