NBA Rumors: Celtics 'Strongly Expected to Make' a Trade by 2024 Deadline
January 8, 2024
The Boston Celtics elected to guarantee the contracts of several roster players this seasons, but the move may be to allow for more flexibility at the trade deadline.
The franchise decided to hold onto Dalano Banton, Luke Kornet, Svi Mykhailiuk and Lamar Stevens and guarantee their contracts for the remainder of the season. While this could be in order to ensure chemistry for the NBA's top team, Brian Robb of MassLive.com reported that those around the league believe the decision was made to allow for a move around the trade deadline.
"Ultimately, multiple league sources have indicated to MassLive that the Celtics are strongly expected to make some kind of move ahead of the trade deadline," Robb wrote. "Keeping the team's roster fully intact now past the guarantee deadline keeps more potential opportunities open for getting a deal done to bolster the back end of the roster."
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens complimented the players the team held on to but did not speak on their long-term futures.
"I've been really pleased with all those guys," Stevens said, per Robb. "I don't want to say what we do or don't do. I don't ever want to speak in absolutes but I've been really impressed with all those guys. They've all come in and done well for us."
Boston has been no stranger to change in recent months. The Celtics acquired Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holliday in the offseason and shipped off former Defensive Player of the Year winner Marcus Smart. These moves coincided with extending Jaylen Brown and helped Boston have one of the best rosters in the NBA.
It has paid off so far. Boston is 28-7 and looks like the favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference. Adding more depth at the deadline could surely make the team even more of a threat, but guaranteeing that these role players will be available going forward could also be huge for the team's chances.
