NBA Rumors: Celtics Looking To Package Two Players For Center Reinforcement

The Boston Celtics are hoping to bring in a solid center to add to their frontcourt rotation, and they're looking at the possibility of packaging two assets that are not part of their plans in order to do it. 

Boston has been exploring the combined outgoing value of Danilo Gallinari and Payton Pritchard, sources said, as the Celtics search for center reinforcements. Two names of big men that match that outgoing salary: Jakob Poeltl and Mo Bamba.

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 8, 2023

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Celts are considering combining in a deal the young point guard Payton Pritchard with the contract of Danilo Gallinari, which adds up to about $8.7M. 

As Fischer notes, that amount would match up closely enough with two big men that are on the market: the San Antonio Spurs' Jakob Poeltl ($9.3M) and the Orlando Magic's Mo Bamba ($10.3M). 

Each of those centers would add a different element to the Celtics, with Poeltl bringing some rim protection and low-post scoring, and with Bamba, a floor-stretching big off the bench (39.8% from three-point range). 

Boston has been tied to a few other big men as well, and have been called the "most likely leam" to make a move for a center at the trade deadline. 

Less than 24 hours to go.

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