The Boston Celtics can make use of the $6.2 million trade exception for Grant Williams until the NBA Trade Deadline. Teams that have exceeded their second tax apron are not permitted to use trade exceptions made the year before according to the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The Celtics might feel pressure to use it for that reason. Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report suggested a trade that would send them Otto Porter Jr. if they do. In a report published on February 7, Hughes detailed the upcoming deal between the Celtics and Raptors.
Celtics get: Porter
Mavericks get: 2024 Mavericks Second-Round Pick
Hughes explained why the Celtics should roll the dice on Porter.
The Celtics’ completely hypothetical move is predicated on their assumption that Porter can produce performance levels comparable to what he attained when serving as a vital rotation player for the Golden State Warriors in 2021–2022. Recall that during six Finals games in 2022, Boston got a close-up look at OPJ, who shot 58.8 percent from the field and 56.3 percent from three.
In addition, Hughes listed Porter’s warning signs and discussed why he would be a good flyer.
“Health is a major concern for Porter, who’s played 23 games since leaving Golden State two years ago. But Sam Hauser has been Boston’s only reliable backup wing this season. If a 2024 second-rounder is the cost of seeing whether Porter can provide 10 minutes of production every couple of games, a squad with Boston’s aspirations should be willing to pay it.”
Making $6.3 million this season, Porter fits into the Williams TPE. Per the CBA, teams can absorb a contract that makes up to $100,000 more than the exception they possess
Celtics Interested in Otto Porter Jr.: Report
As it turns out, the Celtics may very well add Otto Porter Jr. after all. Yahoo Sports! Jake Fischer reported that Porter has become one of their targets.
“Elsewhere atop the Eastern Conference, Boston has been weighing various options who could deepen the Celtics’ bench, according to league sources. Boston will likely be limited to adding pieces through its $6.25 million traded-player exception with which the Celtics could bring on a veteran target such as Otto Porter Jr., sources said,” Fischer wrote in a February 6 story.
The Raptors are currently 18-33 and are the No. 12 seed in the Eastern Conference. They traded away Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, signaling that they will start over as a team. Porter likely does not have a long-term future with them.
Celtics Trade Eliminates Several Big Man Options: Report
After the Celtics acquired Xavier Tillman, Fischer reported on February 7 that doing so likely rules them out of trading for multiple big men.
According to insiders, Boston was also considering a reunion with the big man it had drafted out of Gonzaga. However, Fischer said that Boston will probably not be able to acquire Olynyk if the Celtics trade for Memphis’ Xavier Tillman. The Celtics shouldn’t be able to acquire Andre Drummond either after the Tillman trade. Teams with differing postseason aspirations have expressed interest in Chicago’s reserve center.
According to Basketball-Reference, Otto Porter Jr. spent 64% of his minutes at center when he was healthy, which was when he was a member of the Warriors. The Celtics might not use him as much at center if they acquire him.
