The Boston Celtics, currently grappling with the absence of star big man Kristaps Porzingis due to a minor injury, are likely exploring options to bolster their frontcourt depth.
The Celtics’ frontcourt depth took a big hit with the deals that brought in Porzingis and new teammate Jrue Holiday, and with the ball club concerningly thin with the Latvian center out with a calf strain, Boston will likely be monitoring the league for potential big man trade targets and buyout candidates. Should the Celtics elect to add to their roster via trade, they will have both the traded player exception created from the Grant Williams sign-and-trade, as well as a number of smaller salaries they can aggregate this season to bring on a quality rotation big man.
To such an end, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley thinks the Celtics should consider making a call about the availability of Toronto Raptors big man Precious Achiuwa.
Celtics Lab 229: Assessing the East at the 2023-24 NBA season's quarter-mark with Ky Carlin https://t.co/GhCtpFeorG pic.twitter.com/lUkQPBlOCG
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 29, 2023
Achiuwa’s $4.2 million salary would be easy enough to match for Boston, and the Celtics still have enough draft capital to get such a deal done. And though the Raptors center “isn’t massive by NBA standards” at 6-foot-8 and 225 lbs., “he can beef up the interior with length, athleticism and all kinds of activity.”
“Offensively, he’d be an asset in the open court and a sneaky-good option in the half court, as he’s flashed some handles and a pinch of playmaking. While he isn’t an obvious trade candidate even if the Raptors rebuild, he is playing on an expiring contract.”
“So, if Toronto doesn’t plan on re-signing him next offseason, then trading him for a future-focused asset feels like the move to make,” adds Buckley.
We’d be surprised if Toronto elected to part with Achiuwa, but if the B/R analyst is right that such a move is not out of the question, Boston absolutely ought to be on the phone finding out what the asking price might be.
Who were the best left-handed players to suit up for the Boston Celtics? https://t.co/HX8S7cUfGB pic.twitter.com/C2rrzthOod
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 29, 2023
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