The 2018 NBA trade deadline passes at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday. And Danny Ainge’s Celtics are, as usual, involved in the rapid-fire rumors. So be sure to keep checking back here for live updates with the latest reports and possible moves as the trade deadline rapidly approaches.
The Celtics have been linked to a number of players who are on the trade block, most often Memphis Grizzlies swingman Tyreke Evans. They’ve already added free-agent big man Greg Monroe, but Evans would be an even better fit for what the Celtics need down the stretch and into the playoffs.
So it’s likely that Ainge’s interest is legitimate. But as always, he has some competition for pieces. And rumors have even emerged lately that they could be moving Marcus Smart. So hold on to your butts, this could be a wild day of rumors and reports – that could also turn out to be nothing.
2018 NBA Trade Deadline: Live Updates
3:02 p.m.: Charania tweeted that the Celtics made no deals at the trade deadline, standing pat for the second straight season. That’s in stark contrast to the Cavs, who drastically overhauled their roster through a handful of deals. That means Marcus Smart is still in the fold. But expect the C’s to sniff around on the buyout market in the coming weeks.
Sources: Boston has made no deals, standing pat at the deadline and keeping guard Marcus Smart. Celtics value Smart tremendously -- showed it in talks with other teams.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2018
2:31 p.m.: A league source tells A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston that Joe Johnson will spark an “intense bidding war” once the Kings buy him out, and the Celtics will be one of the teams in the mix.
Received text from league executive to expect an “intense” bidding war for Joe Johnson who is expected to be bought out by the Sacramento Kings, with the #Celtics one of the teams in the mix.
— A. Sherrod Blakely (@ASherrodblakely) February 8, 2018
2:26 p.m.: A league source tells the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach that the Celtics’ trade talks are “dead,” but he added that things could still “change quickly.”
One league source says in a text message that Celtics' trade talks appear to be "dead" right now. Could always change quickly, of course.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) February 8, 2018
1:42 p.m.: Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Mannix tweeted that the Celtics are still “reluctant” to part with a first-round pick in any trade, but remain “engaged” with multiple potential deals. No panic moves coming from Danny Ainge.
Celtics continue to be engaged on several fronts, but Boston remains reluctant to include a first round pick in any deal, sources told @YahooSports.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) February 8, 2018
1:19 p.m.: The Cavs are seriously wheeling & dealing. First reported was the acquisition of Rodney Hood from the Utah Jazz in a three-team deal that also included the Kings. They sent Derrick Rose and Jae Crowder to Utah and Joe Johnson to Sacramento in exchange for George Hill.
Utah has traded Rodney Hood to Cleveland, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
Utah will also send Joe Johnson to Sacramento, and Cleveland will send Jae Crowder and Derek Rose to Utah, league sources tell ESPN. Sacramento sends George Hill to the Cavs.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
Then reported was that the Cavs traded Dwyane Wade back to his original team, the Miami Heat, in exchange for a “heavily protected” second-round pick.
Miami will send a heavily protected second-round pick to Cleveland for Wade, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
That same second-round pick will reportedly be going to Sacramento as part of the three-team deal.
12:25 p.m.: Wojnarowski has updated his Cavs-Lakers report with an actual trade: The Lakers are sending guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance to the Cavs.
Lakers sending Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance to the Cavaliers, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor tweeted less than a minute later that the Cavs are sending Isaiah Thomas (!), Channing Frye, and their own first-round pick in the deal.
I'm hearing it's Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and the Cavs first to Lakers for Clarkson and Nance.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 8, 2018
12:04 p.m.: Wojnarowski is reporting that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers are in serious discussions for a trade. Could it be a big one?
Cleveland and Lakers in serious talks on a trade, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
11:31 a.m.: Yahoo Sports! insider Shams Charania reports that the Detroit Pistons are trading big man Willie Reed to the Chicago Bulls for point guard Jameer Nelson. The teams are also swapping second-round picks. More backcourt depth for another Eastern Conference contender.
Sources: Detroit is sending center Willie Reed to the Bulls for Jameer Nelson, who shores up Pistons' PG rotation.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2018
Sources: As part of Jameer Nelson deal, Bulls and Pistons are swapping their second-round picks in 2022.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2018
10:47 a.m.: Wojnarowski reports that “several teams” are backing out of the trade deadline and instead looking toward the post-deadline free agent market. Remains to be seen whether the Celtics, who have already dipped into that pool with Monroe, are one of those teams.
Several teams tell ESPN that they're already easing out of the trade market today to focus on filling needs with what is expected to be a strong post-deadline pool of free agents in the buyout market.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
9:40 a.m.: The Celtics have long been involved in discussions with the Grizzlies to acquire Tyreke Evans. But it appears that they’re pushing back on having to move a first-round pick to make it happen. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted in the early hours of Thursday that the C’s, 76ers, and Nuggets are all looking to move a young player or second-round pick for Evans rather than a first.
Sources: Memphis still holding out for a first-round pick to move Tyreke Evans — and Boston, Denver and Philadelphia have resisted offers beyond either a young player or a second-rounder. First-rounders have never been gripped so tightly in the league
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
Stay tuned for more updates as they roll in!
— By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.