Brad Stevens continues to work the phones for the Boston Celtics ahead of the 2022 NBA trade deadline, and he may not be against a decent-size shakeup.
Unless Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown are involved, any Celtics deal make would relatively lack fireworks. But according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, they’ve explored a potential Marcus Smart trade with the Atlanta Hawks.
The deal in question is now impossible, because one of the Hawks’ assets was forward Cam Reddish. They already sent Reddish to the Knicks for a protected first-round pick. But based on Fischer’s reporting, before the Knicks deal, the Hawks mentioned him in talks with the Celtics:
Another interesting Hawks tidbit: Before Atlanta sent Reddish to New York, the Hawks and Celtics discussed a framework that would have swapped Marcus Smart for Kevin Heurter and Reddish, sources said. It’s unclear how far that dialogue progressed.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 17: Kevin Huerter #3 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots against Dennis Schroder #71 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at State Farm Arena. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Huerter, 23, is in the final year of his rookie deal with the Hawks. He’s averaging 11.5 points per game so far in 2021-22, and is shooting 36.2 percent from three-point range. That’s the key difference between him and Smart, who’s shooting just 30.3 percent from downtown, his worst rate in four years.
But Huerter would qualify as a rental, and considering he was part of a package with Reddish, he alone wouldn’t be nearly enough in a Smart trade.
If Stevens still wants to work on a deal with Atlanta, they’ll have to figure out another piece to add to Huerter, if only to make the money match up. Louis Williams’ expired contract might have to be thrown in. Guard Delon Wright would work financially by himself, but doesn’t seem like an ideal addition for the C’s in a trade like this.
When’s the deadline?
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 13: Marcus Smart #36 and head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics look on in the second quarter against the Miami Heat at TD Garden. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
There’s still plenty of time for Stevens and the Hawks to make a deal, or for the Celtics to find another taker for Smart, if they’re dead set on going in that direction. The 2022 NBA trade deadline passes at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 10.
Coincidentally, the Celtics and Hawks play each other on Friday night, so Stevens will be able to scout potential trade additions live and in person. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET in Atlanta.
For radio listeners, the game will be broadcast on one of the Sports Hub’s sister stations, 105.7 WROR. Here’s the full on-air schedule at 98.5 The Sports Hub.
