Boston is looking for wing help and Evan Fournier could be the team’s target ahead of the deadline, Sham Charania of The Athletic hears. The Celtics would use their $28.5 million trade exception (from the Gordon Hayward trade) to acquire the Frenchman.
The franchise isn’t alone in its pursuit. Dallas is seen as the “loudest” rumored contender for Fournier, who is making $17 million in the final season of his contract.
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Danny Ainge’s plans aren’t entirely clear. While rumors continue to swirl about Boston’s interest in various trade candidates, Ainge’s recent public statements suggest that the organization will wait until the offseason to use the massive trade exception.
“There’s no if’s, and’s or but’s about it. That’s who we are,” Ainge said late last month. “This team, where we are, 14-14, if there’s somebody to blame, this is Danny Ainge to blame. This is not Brad Stevens. It’s not Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown. It’s like not good enough right now. And we all know that. And, you know, we need to get better.”
The team has gone 7-7 since those comments and Boston appears locked in a race alongside teams like the Heat, Hawks, Knicks, and Hornets for the 4-10 seeds in the Eastern Conference.
More Celtics Rumors
- News of Boston emerging as the frontrunner for Aaron Gordon recently broke and while the Celtics are certainly interested, sources tell FortyEightMinutes that the two sides are nowhere close to an agreement.
- The Celtics have “cooled” on John Collins, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. The big man is expected to see a lucrative payday in restricted free agency, something that gives Boston pause.
- There’s buzz around Norman Powell and the Celtics, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report hears. Many around the league believe that the forward will be dealt before Thursday’s deadline and Boston is a logical fit. The Celtics are were exploring what trading Tristan Thompson would look like earlier in the month with the Raptors linked to the big man and a swap of some sorts could benefit both teams.
- Kings forward Harrison Barnes, who has been linked to the Celtics, was recently asked about potentially being traded to the Boston. “Obviously Boston’s a great franchise, but for the time being I’m with the Kings and that’s where my focus is — my teammates in the locker room, going out there, putting it on the line every night and trying to win games,” Barnes said (via The Athletic).
- Should the Celtics move Kemba Walker to the second unit? Bruce Castleberry of The Boston Herald believes that is the best move for the team as currently constructed. Giving Payton Pritchard the nob would change the dynamics of the team and allowing Walker to lighten his workload could pay dividends come playoff time.
- ICYMI: Marcus Smart is drawing interest from several teams, including the Hawks.
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Read More
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