Are the Boston Celtics looking to trade for Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate? Previously linked to the Rockets combo forward in trade rumors, a new report from The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, Shams Charania, and Sam Amick suggests that pursuit might be heating up.
It could also be the old rumors warmed up for some trade leverage, but according to The Athletic reports, Tate “is attracting interest from the likes of Boston” as well as the Phoenix Suns. While the Celtics are reportedly looking for a bigger forward, Tate is somewhat small for his position at just 6-foot-4, and struggles to shoot from deep.
But his defensive skills could be a boon to Boston’s bench if not for the fact that he earns $6.5 million this season, just too big to make it into the team’s $6.2 traded player exception.
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Breaking down Boston's bench ahead of next week's NBA trade deadline with @NoaDalzellNBA
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— Celtics Lab Podcast (@CelticsLab) February 1, 2024
It seems unlikely that the Celtics would gut their deep rotation for a player only marginally better than the likely candidates going out.
We would not be surprised if he ended up with the Suns, however, who desperately need more healthy bodies.
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