An unexpected Wizards starter mentioned being a possible Boston Celtics trade deadline target.
NBC Sports While arguing that the Boston Celtics should go all in for Banner 18 in 2023–2024, Boston’s Chris Forsberg frequently brought up Alex Caruso as a trade deadline target. However, he also surprisingly floated Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija at the conclusion of his piece.”
“Should Stevens worry about giving up what is probably going to be the 30th pick in the 2024 draft? The receiving team’s valuation of the pick may be the only issue, as it may be slightly higher than that of another contender,” Forsberg stated before stating, “Yes, trading a pick like 2027 is riskier, but so is not doing everything possible to win a title when you feel this tantalizingly close to a title.”
“If we win this one, it will make all subsequent roster decisions much simpler. Sure, we’ll write avaricious stories about our quest for multiple Larry O’Briens, but even after we find one, nobody will be worrying about our picks. Call the Bulls regarding Caruso, then. Speak with the Wizards regarding Deni Avdija; although he has a poison pill, his lovely descending structure would be perfect for rosters down the road. The brave are favored by fortune.”
The Boston Celtics would benefit greatly from having Deni Avdija.
Whoah. Coming from Maccabi Tel Aviv in the EuroLeague, Avdija was a lottery pick that many were hoping would at least be as good as Franz Wagner, who is currently with the Orlando Magic. Avdija’s story hasn’t quite worked out that way thus far, but this season, the Israeli shooter is finally developing as a 3-point shooter (39%).
Nevertheless, the Celtics are not searching for a game-changer at the deadline, and investing a large sum of money in a player whose salary is about to increase could cost them Derrick White or Jrue Holiday this offseason.
The excessively aggressive bid for Banner 18 is not worth that. The goal for Boston should be to add support around the core six players—Jason Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Holiday, White, and Al Horford—while also trying to hold onto Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser. It should be impossible for the Cs to include some of these pieces since Avdija forces them to.
