Brad Stevens asked about Celtics’ eligibility to play in Toronto
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Toucher and Rich gave it their best shot to get Brad Stevens to comment on the Boston Celtics’ vaccination statuses. And the C’s president of basketball ops dodged all the questions like a master.
It was unlikely Stevens would just go down the list of who is and isn’t vaccinated, but the questions are pertinent for the Celtics or whoever ends up playing the Toronto Raptors in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. Canada requires a full COVID-19 vaccination (two shots of Pfizer/Moderna, or one shot of Johnson & Johnson) in order to enter the country, so unvaccinated players would be unable to travel to Toronto for road games. Entering Friday, the Celtics are projected to face the Raptors in the first round.
Brad Stevens declined to comment on the vaccination rate within the Celtics organization, when asked about his players’ eligibility to play in Canada.
“I know what you’re getting at, obviously, with this,” Stevens said. “As an organization we’ve said from day one, we’re not going to comment on our team vaccination status or individual vaccination status, and as you said, the rules have kind of fluctuated as the year’s gone on. And, so, I feel like our job is to make sure that we continue to educate and make sure to keep everybody abreast of those changes, and the NBA has done a great job of that, all across the league.
“Anyways, I know that’s not, probably, the exact answer you’re looking for, but that’s where we stand and that’s all I really have to say about it.”
Declining to comment could indicate that the Celtics roster is less than 100 percent vaccinated, but that is unconfirmed at this point. Chris Mannix recently said on TSN that “the Celtics have some unvaccinated guys,” and added “my understanding is Jaylen Brown is unvaccinated, Al Horford is unvaccinated,” but “that can still change.”
Listen above for the full interview with Brad Stevens on Toucher and Rich.
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Recapping the Celtics' trio of moves at the 2022 NBA trade deadline
Danny Ainge had overseen almost two decades worth of trade deadlines as the Celtics’ president of basketball operations. Fans may have been unsure of what to expect as Brad Stevens manned the phones for the first time since being promoted to Ainge’s old job back in June.
What ensued was one of the wildest trade deadlines in recent memory in Boston sports. In total, the Celtics traded away seven players and a first-round pick, acquired two players and a second-round pick, and added a future first-round pick swap. Here’s a quick rundown of each of the Celtics’ three deals done throughout the day…
Trade 1
Jan 27, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens in the first quarter of the game against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Celtics get:
— Future 2nd-round pick
Magic get:
— F P.J. Dozier
— C Bol Bol
— Future 2nd-round pick
— Cash considerationsThe Celtics’ first move of the day wasn’t a major one, but it did help the team get under the luxury tax. Boston acquired P.J. Dozier and Bol Bol just a few weeks ago in a three team deal that saw them send forward Juancho Hernangomez and cash considerations to San Antonio.
Trade 2
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 23: Derrick White #4 of the San Antonio Spurs attempts a shot in front of Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center on December 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Celtics get:
— G Derrick White
Spurs get:
— G/F Josh Richardson
— G Romeo Langford
— 2022 1st-round pick (1-4 protected)A few hours later, the Celtics made their first player acquisition of the day, adding starting Spurs shooting guard Derrick White. White is expected to fill a similar role in Boston. His defensive prowess will give the Celtics a lockdown backcourt, with White playing next to Marcus Smart. Meanwhile, Richardson was part of the bench unit while Langford was struggling to find minutes in the rotation. This deal also includes a 2028 first-round pick swap, with Boston’s pick top-1 protected.
Trade 3
Dec 15, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Rockets center Daniel Theis (27) rebounds beside guard Josh Christopher (9) and forward Jae’Sean Tate (8) in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Celtics get:
— C Daniel Theis
Rockets get:
— G Dennis Schröder
— F Bruno Fernando
— C Enes FreedomFor the second year in a row, the Celtics made a trade involving Daniel Theis just before the trade deadline hit. This time, the Celtics brought back Theis for a second stint, and moved point guard Dennis Schröder. Leading up to Thursday, reports had indicated Schröder – who is on an expiring contract – would be dealt at the deadline.
WATCH: @FelgerAndMazz react to the Celtics Trading Dennis Schroder for Daniel Theis pic.twitter.com/TO2hH5Pb2L
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