NBA Rumors: Celtics Looking To Add 3rd Star Via Trade

 

There has been all sorts of talk making the rounds that the Jaylen Brown-Jayson Tatum duo just "doesn't work together", and that there's a possibility the Boston Celtics could be thinking about trading Brown within the next 12-18 months. 

But a new report says, to the contrary, the Celtics are actually looking to trade for a 3rd star to add to the Tatum-Brown combo.

Per @HPbasketball, the Celtics are looking to trade for a third star to pair with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

Who are the most likely candidates?https://t.co/qjRspKPMRs

— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) December 16, 2021

The Action Network's Matt Moore wrote that "two sources indicated that in recent talks the Celtics are focused on trying to add", not subtract from their star duo.

One thing that no one is arguing about, no matter which way Boston is leaning, is that they simply don't have enough to reach the elite of the Eastern Conference with what they've got. The Celts sit at 14-14, tied for 9th spot in the conference. 

The argument against dealing Brown, one source told Moore, is that this is simply not the right time to do it. “If you’re trading Brown, you’re still probably trading low on him, that’s the wild part,” one executive said. “That front office doesn’t have a history of trading assets early.”

So who could the Celtics move in a deal to bring in another star piece? 

We already know that Dennis Schroder is on the trade block. But his $5.9M salary won't get it done alone. 

“If there’s a value player they can add in (to a trade), it’s probably (Grant) Williams,” one league insider told Moore.

The 23-year-old has been ranked as Boston's Most Improved Player this season, shooting 45% on threes, and 81.5% on shots within five feet—2nd in the NBA.

Williams recently had the 4th year of his rookie contract picked up by the Celtics before the season, so he won't become a free agent until 2023. 

Robert Williams III is a valued piece around the league, but it's unlikely the C's could afford to deal him. 

Marcus Smart and his $13M salary would likely be needed in any deal from a salary-matching perspective, though he can't be dealt until next month due to his 4-year extension signed this year. 

Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports