NBA Insiders Suggest Potential Celtics Trade Targets

The NBA recently reached a notable date on its calendar. On Dec. 15, 81 players became trade eligible,

bringing the total amount who fit that description to 88 percent of the Association.

Deals this month are uncommon, and none have happened in the last two seasons,

but it’s a time when the groundwork gets laid for future trades.

On the most recent episode of The Lowe Post podcast, host and ESPN NBA

analyst Zach Lowe welcomed colleague Tim Bontemps.

The two agreed this is the best Boston Celtics team of the Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown era.

Boston’s 21-6 and share the NBA’s best record with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The former and the Philadelphia 76ers are the only teams ranked in the top five in offensive and defensive rating.

The latter has the highest net rating (11.5). The Celtics are second in that category (9.1).

The consensus is they have the best top six in the NBA. Beyond that,

Sam Hauser has solidified the seventh spot in the rotation,

developing into a two-way wing. And Payton Pritchard is producing 7.1 points, 3.1 rebounds,

and 2.9 assists per contest. He’s drilling an average of 39.4 percent of the four threes he’s hoisting,

and his growth operating the pick-and-roll is evident.

But with Boston over the second apron and all in on capturing its 18th championship,

there have been reports noting an expectation the franchise is active in the trade and buyout markets.

While discussing what type of player the Celtics should target,

Lowe and Bontemps identified a wing they believe the team’s

president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, should pursue.

One is an individual Boston’s already connected to, John Konchar of the Memphis Grizzlies.

The four-year veteran isn’t a rotation

fixture, and his minutes fluctuate. They’ve decreased from 20.8 in the 2022-23 campaign to 18 this season.

The six-foot-five wing is averaging 3.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and nearly a steal per game in 22 appearances.

The 27-year-old is an effective low-volume three-point shooter, converting 1.8 attempts at a 36.9 percent clip for his career.

Konchar’s only making 33.3 percent of his 2.2 shots from beyond the arc this campaign,

but he’s proven he can handle inconsistent playing time and typically stays in rhythm despite not getting many touches or minutes