CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 25: Andre Drummond #3 of the Chicago Bulls reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at the United Center on October 25, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The NBA trade deadline is just a few days away. Teams have until Thursday, February 8 at 3 p.m. to get any last deals in.
This year’s Boston Celtics roster feels as complete as any has at the deadline in recent memory. On top of that the C’s have a nice cushion in the standings, entering Tuesday a full five games up on the Milwaukee Bucks for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t moves to be made.
READ MORE:
—How will the Celtics use their biggest TPE?
—The Celtics’ biggest opponent on their quest for Banner 18
—Full Celtics coverage
One spot in particular the Celtics could look to add is in the front court with depth thin at that spot. According to a new report, that’s an option they’re exploring.
On Monday, NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype published a list of NBA trade deadline rumors. That included three players he says the Celtics have “expressed interest in.”
Of those three players, two are big men – Andre Drummond from the Chicago Bulls and former Celtic Kelly Olynyk, who is currently with the Utah Jazz. Scotto also included Washington Wizards guard Delon Wright as a player the Celtics have shown interest in.
Which of the three would be the best fit in Boston at the deadline? Here’s a look at each…
Andre Drummond
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 11: Andre Drummond #3 of the Chicago Bulls works against Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at Fiserv Forum on December 11, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Drummond, 30, has played in 50 games for Chicago this year making seven starts. He’s averaging 7.7 points and 8.3 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game. At 6-foot-11, 279 pounds he’d add a serious physical presence at the rim on both ends of the floor for the Celtics. Drummond is in the final year of his contract, which was worth a total of $3.36 million for the 2023-2024 season.
Kelly Olynyk
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 05: Kelly Olynyk #41 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 05, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Originally drafted by the Celtics in 2013, Olynyk spent his first five NBA seasons as a role player in Boston. Since then, he’s played for four teams in eight years, and is currently reunited with Danny Ainge in Utah. Would Ainge do a deal with Brad Stevens to send Olynyk, 32, back to Boston? Olynyk’s ability to play on the perimeter at 6-foot-11, 240 pounds would certainly work with the Celtics’ current play style.
In 49 games this year Olynyk is averaging 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, while shooting 56 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent from three. He’s on an expiring contract that is worth $12.1 million for this season, which would make a deal difficult with the Celtics’ current financial outlook.
Delon Wright
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: Delon Wright #55 of the Washington Wizards dribbles to the hoop against Tre Jones #33 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at Capital One Arena on January 20, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
The lone guard on this list, Wright has played in 28 games for the Wizards this year averaging 4.4 points and 2.8 assists in 15.2 minutes per game. The 31-year-old would help strengthen a Celtics backcourt that includes Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Payton Pritchard. Wright’s expiring contract is worth just over $8 million, which would be a challenge for the Celtics to take on.
