As constructed, the Boston Celtics are a team with an eye toward the future. Boston appears set for a deep playoff run, meaning the regular season will be about laying the groundwork for this coming spring. On top of ironing out rotations and schemes, that may mean making improvements to the club’s depth chart.
Even after adding former All-Star Kristaps Porzingis this summer, the Celtics could have issues in the frontcourt. This would be even more true if the injury bug bites. Likewise, Boston is lacking in size on the wing. According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, Boston could hypothetically target some additional support for the team’s power forward rotation.
Buy Celtics TicketsThe trade in question would see Boston landing Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale from the Brooklyn Nets. In return, the Celtics would send out Malcolm Brogdon and a 2024 first-round draft pick (via the Golden State Warriors). So, does this hypothetical trade make sense for Boston?
Alongside the proposal, Buckley acknowledged Boston will be without veteran guard Marcus Smart next season, meaning the team is expected to rely more on Payton Pritchard. As Buckley sees it, if the Celts believe in Pritchard, saying goodbye to Brogdon is a worthy penalty for adding some needed depth on the wing and in the front court.
At present, Boston has few players who can plausibly play the small forward and power forward position. Porzingis, Al Horford, and Robert Williams III are more traditional bigs. Jayson Tatum and newcomer Oshae Brissett fit the bill, but Buckley believes the Celtics may want a more reliable player to fill that niche.
In bringing aboard Finney-Smith, Boston would balance out its depth chart while also landing a starter-quality player to bolster what could be an already imposing defense. (And if Finney-Smith can find his shooting stroke again, even better.)
The Celtics nearly traded Brogdon during the offseason, and it is expected Boston will continue to look for ways to improve its roster. If O’Neale can be a satisfactory backup guard and Finney-Smith would help fill some of the holes the team has in its depth chart, perhaps this would be a wise trade for the Celtics.
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