There has been plenty of ink spilled on the possibility of a reunion between the Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz big man Kelly Olynyk. But rumbles of the Celtics having interest in trading for another member of the Jazz’ roster have begun to percolate.
According to The Athletic’s Tony Jones, Italian forward Simone Fontecchio has caught the eye of Boston’s front office. “Utah’s starting small forward has emerged as a serious trade target for two contending teams,” writes Jones, naming the Celtics and Phoenix Suns as those teams. “Both teams need to strengthen their respective second units, and Fontecchio has an easy salary number for Phoenix and Boston to get to as he is in the final year of a contract that pays him $3.1 million annually.”
“Fontecchio has emerged this season as an effective rotation-level player,” he adds. “He has shot the ball well, particularly since being inserted into the starting lineup. He’s also proven to be at least an adept wing defender.”
Celtics Lab 239: Previewing Boston's 2024 NBA trade deadline possibilities with Jack Simone https://t.co/YylXtT2oMt pic.twitter.com/Lurc0mNHwm
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) February 6, 2024
“The Celtics need frontcourt depth,” Jones rightly notes, “and Fontecchio would be a good fit there. He’s a shooter with size and length, which will allow him to play in lineups with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He’s fearless on the floor.”
“The Celtics are in a better spot and have a few firsts at their disposal,” he adds, though we feel anything beyond this coming draft’s first round pick would be too much — and then, only if no players were going out in the deal.
More likely, an array of three or even four second-rounders feels fair for both parties in our estimation, and Fontecchio fits the bill of a bigger forward Boston is reportedly looking for.
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