Celtics and Bulls swap bigs in last-minute deadline deal
After getting one trade through early on Thursday, the Celtics snuck another deal in just before the 3:00 trade deadline. As first reported by K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, Boston is sending forward Daniel Theis and guard Javonte Green to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for centers Mo Wagner and Luke Kornet.
This is an evolution from a trade earlier in the day, which saw originally saw Chicago acquired Wagner Washington Wizards. Now a three-team deal, Chicago will send two additional players to the Wizards, while picking up a $1.3 million trade exception from Boston, and a $250K TPE from Washington.
The move also allows Boston to slip back below the luxury tax by $950K. Boston was set to be over the tax limit due to Jaylen Brown’s $1.3 million All-Star game bonus, per Bobby Marks. With Wagner, Kornet, and Theis all on expiring contracts, the long-term effects on cap space are minimal.
Wagner was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers 25th overall in 2018 – two picks before the Celtics selected Robert Williams. The Michigan product has struggled to get on the floor at times in the NBA, and has never played more than 45 games in a season.
So far in 2021, Wagner has played in 25 games, making 13 starts for Washington, playing 15 minutes per game. He’s averaged 7.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 50.8 percent from the floor and 31 percent from three.
Kornet gives the Celtics some much-needed size in the front court. The 7-foot-2 Vanderbilt product is averaging six points and two rebounds a game so far this season, mainly coming off the bench.
This is a developing story, and will be updated…
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