The Boston Celtics have been linked to quite a wide range of players ahead of the 2023 NBA trade deadline.

There was the fleeting Kevin Durant rumor. That seems to have died. There are also continued rumblings of a possible deal to acquire a big man like Jakob Poeltl from the Spurs. Another one has popped up, but it’s a little different, because it involves a forward who would come off the bench.

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  HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 27: Jae’Sean Tate #8 of the Houston Rockets goes up for a lay up over Jalen McDaniels #6 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half at Toyota Center on November 27, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

• The player in question is Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate, who has drawn interest from the Celtics ahead of the trade deadline, according to Kelly Iko at The Athletic. The report quickly says that the Rockets aren’t actually looking to trade Tate, who is apparently “highly valued within the organization because of his attention to detail, playmaking ability, unselfish play style and most importantly, his defensive intensity and versatility.”

  Sounds like their version of Marcus Smart, just at forward instead of point guard. But Tate is averaging just 7.3 points and 2.9 assists in 20.4 minutes per game, while playing in just 16 games this season due to an ankle injury. On top of that, the Rockets reportedly would have to receive a “Godfather” type of offer that they simply couldn’t turn down. So, it doesn’t sound like Tate himself is being traded.

  But if the Celtics’ interest was legitimate, this is an indication that they’re still looking for this type of player to add to their rotation at the trade deadline. As for their own chips, Danilo Gallinari and Payton Pritchard have been mentioned as pieces being paired as a way to match money in a deal for a big man.

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  LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 10: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics drives against the Denver Nuggets during the 2021 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Celtics defeated the Nuggets 107-82. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

• Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens certainly hasn’t been shy about wheeling & dealing in his time leading the front office. So it would be surprising if he didn’t pull the trigger on something at the deadline. It probably won’t be anything huge, but it will certainly be geared toward making the Celtics deeper and improve an area of need.

  We’ll keep you covered all the way through the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline here at 985TheSportsHub.com.

• Click here for complete Boston Celtics coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster 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? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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