If you watched the Indiana Pacers’ bench players giving the Boston Celtics nearly as much trouble as did their starters in Monday night’s in-season tournament quarterfinals loss and wished that the Celtics could have a few players that the team can lean on for similar production, you are far from alone in that regard.
In fact, The Athletic’s and Stadium’s Shams Charania weighed in on Boston’s bench postgame, hinting that the Celtics may have plans to boost their reserve capabilities with a few consolidatory moves at the 2024 NBA trade deadline while making an appearance on Fan Duel’s “Run it Back” podcast.
“My concern with the Celtics — there’s a lot that we’ve seen over the last couple of years — they get outscored 17 to 7 down the final minute-thirty of this game last night,” recounted The Athletic reporter.
Celtics Lab 230: No Vegas for Boston, but how can the Celtics get better from what they learned? https://t.co/U0bNhPHPqp pic.twitter.com/Pcjfugr1yk
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 5, 2023
“Jayson Tatum (and) Jaylen Brown have been unbelievable throughout the (last few) seasons and throughout playoff runs, but late-game execution — I think that’s still an issue for this team,” added Charania.
“I just think from a staff perspective, getting timely baskets, the Celtics clearly were a little bit lacking last night, and 21 points off the bench — Sam Hauser scored a little bit Luke Kornet scored, (but) the Pacers, on the other hand, they got 33 points off their bench, then multiple players in double figures coming off the bench.”
“The Celtics gave up a couple first round picks and that Jrue Holiday trade,” recalled. “They still have a few first round picks leftover.”
Woj: Kristaps Porzingis out vs. Pacers, but may return for in-season tournament semifinals https://t.co/bOpvcxBuRa pic.twitter.com/c6cysg84Lb
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 5, 2023
“I expect the Celtics to be active in the trade market as we get closer to February to try to see if they can beef up their bench rotation and (their) players coming off that bench and see what they can do in the trade market,” shared Charania.
What players — or even what sort of players — Boston might be interested is not entirely clear. But a consensus seems to be emerging that a stouter frontcourt option able to play considerable minutes when their number is called is likely at the top of the list.
The Celtics might also be looking at more reliable wing depth under team control at an affordable rate for several seasons as well, as recent rumbles regarding Memphis Grizzlies wing John Konchar have hinted.
The Boston Celtics have retired 24 jersey numbers – these are the players so honored https://t.co/sllmerFqna pic.twitter.com/oVWsWF8Rho
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 5, 2023
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
