Wonderful news: Two of the NBA’s biggest players announced their interest in the Celtics following the trade deadline.

Wonderful news: Two of the NBA’s biggest players announced their interest in the Celtics following the trade deadline.

Two of the biggest blockbusters of the 2023 NBA offseason were arranged by the Boston Celtics.

They might not have finished trading yet.

Their roster is a little top-heavy, even though Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps PorziņĖis now make up their starting lineup. Obviously, their lack of depth hasn’t been a big problem up until now, but when the playoffs roll around, things might be different.

Unless, of course, the Shamrocks rectify this shortfall during trade season. And based on Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, it appears that’s precisely what they have in mind. The Celtics are expected to be “active in the trade market… to try to see if they can beef up their bench rotation.”

The second unit might benefit from the boost provided by the next three supporting players.

DENVER, CO—NOVEMBER 29: On November 29, 2023, at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, Reggie Bullock Jr., #25 of the Houston Rockets, handles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets.

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According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Celtics were among the teams that reportedly showed interest in Reggie Bullock before he signed with the Houston Rockets in early October.

Bullock’s proven skill set has already drawn them in, so it’s unlikely that the rocky beginning of his Space City tenure will deter them.

They’re far more inclined to believe in him given his nearly ten-year history of reliable three-and-D play. His 205-pound, 6’6″ frame enables him to switch between defensive assignments without losing a beat. Even though his three-ball may not be firing at the moment, his scorching 38.4% career success rate hasn’t been affected at all.

In the modern NBA, finding a three-and-D wing for a low cost is a rare opportunity, and if the Celtics were correct to predict his potential for a comeback, this could be one of those rare times.

Chicago Bulls Andre Drummond
2 OUT OF 3
Chicago, Illinois, November 30, 2023: In the Chicago Bulls’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 30, 2023, at United Center in Chicago, Illinois, #3 Andre Drummond of the team makes a free throw.

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Even though Luke Kornet has impressed the Celtics with his 78.4 field goal percentage and 2.3 blocks per 36 minutes, according to Basketball Reference, they may still be hesitant to fully commit to him as their third big man.

Although that position may seem specialized, given the uncertainties surrounding Boston’s top two big men, it could have a significant impact. Al Horford’s thirty-seventh birthday is getting closer to the past, and PorziņĚis is once again having trouble staying healthy.

Andre Drummond could be a cheap depth piece for the Celtics if their interior collection is a concern at all. With Drummond as a 30-year-old backup whose contract is about to expire, the Chicago Bulls appear ready for a fire sale. It’s difficult to see how that wouldn’t include a Drummond deal.

His advantages and disadvantages appear to be well-established at this point, so Boston shouldn’t anticipate anything noteworthy from him outside of the restricted area but should expect a lot of activity inside it.

While he has never been the shot-blocker that his build and bounce suggest he should be, he can still cause havoc as a sneaky-strong stealer with quicker hands than you’d think. He is a reliable scorer at the rim and an unrelenting rebounder.

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, NOVEMBER 24: On November 24, 2023, in Memphis, Tennessee, John Konchar #46 of the Memphis Grizzlies plays against the Phoenix Suns during an in-season tournament game at FedExForum. Remember me, user: By downloading and/or using this photo, the user specifically understands and accepts that the user is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Image courtesy of Justin Ford/Getty Images

For the Memphis Grizzlies, who are still without Ja Morant, it appears that things are getting late. This has many wondering if the team will at least make some selective trades before the deadline.

The Celtics are supposedly “among the teams who’ve kept tabs on Konchar’s situation from afar,” according to Scotto, so if reserve forward John Konchar decides to hit the trade market, Boston might give him a call.

Like many players in Memphis, Konchar has had a terrible start to the season, but he is the type of role player who could improve if he is surrounded by a stronger group of players. He remains active when it comes to defense, usually being in the right place at the right time.

Although he has never been a prolific shooter, he could still be useful in that area, given that he shot 40.6 percent from three during his first three seasons.

With Brown and Tatum, the Celtics have two of the best wings in the game, but the group of players behind them thins out quickly. As far as true wings that head coach Joe Mazzulla can rely on, Sam Hauser is having a breakout season. In the unlikely event that Boston needs to go farther than usual in its wing rotation, Konchar could at least offer some protection.

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