Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon, and Payton Pritchard will be the Boston Celtics’ most experienced guards heading into the 2023–24 season with Marcus Smart gone. However, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley suggested a trade that would provide them with exactly that if they decide they need more dependable depth at the wing than in their backcourt.
The following trade between the Celtics and Brooklyn Nets was proposed by Buckley.
Royce O’Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith are given to the Celtics.
Brogdon and the Warriors’ protected first-round pick in 2024 are given to the Nets.
Following the trade of Smart, Buckley outlined the rationale behind the Celtics’ consideration of trading Brogdon.
The Celtics might be able to handle another loss in the backcourt, according to Buckey, if Derrick White shows signs of improvement and Payton Pritchard is prepared to fill a regular rotation role.
Buckley also explained why the Celtics would be interested in Finney-Smith and O’Neale.
Throw Finney-Smith in with White, Brown, Tatum, and Kristaps Porziis, and you have a fivesome with a ton of length, shot-making ability, and defensive versatility.
Boston would be placing a bet on Finney-Smith having a bounce-back season as a shooter (33.7% from three last season), but given the level he had previously attained (38.9% over the three previous campaigns), that seems like a secure bet to make.
O’Neale, who can play and defend in any position between the 2 and 4, would give the Celtics another three-and-D option.
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Malcolm Brogdon should be traded by the Celtics to add depth to the frontcourt.
Buckley recommended that the Celtics try to trade Brogdon for more big men in a story from September 12.
The Shamrocks should continue looking for ways to trade Brogdon for additional frontcourt support, though.
There are explanations for why they initially thought of him as expendable, Buckley wrote.
In case something happens to their top three big men, the Celtics could use Brogdon’s salary to ensure that their frontcourt is covered, according to Buckley.
Then, Boston could concentrate on enhancing its depth in other areas.
The Celtics may understandably want some insurance behind that trio given the past health issues of Porziis and Robert Williams III as well as the fact that Al Horford turned 37 this summer.
They have also lacked significant depth at the wing spots for a very long time.
“Adding more players to fill those voids or acquiring a player who could fill both positions could give this team more of a boost than a sporadic Brogdon can.
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Analyst Doesn’t Think the Celtics Will Sign Cam Payne.
Cam Payne could be selected by the Celtics with their final roster spot after the San Antonio Spurs waive him, but Brian Robb of MassLive doesn’t anticipate this happening.
It’s challenging to imagine a Payne pursuit for a few reasons, Robb wrote in a story on September 12 given that Boston’s current biggest depth weak spot is in the frontcourt.
“First off, given the make-up of Boston’s backcourt at the moment, he wouldn’t have a chance as a minimum free agent.
The team’s top camp picks, White, Brown, Brogdon, and Pritchard, will play the majority of the backcourt minutes. That makes it difficult to advocate for Payne getting regular playing time.
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Payne wouldn’t be much better than what the Celtics already have, according to Robb.
“It’s difficult to argue that Payne is a better option than any of the Celtics’ current bench players.
In 48 games for the Suns last season, Payne averaged 10 points, 3 assists, and 4 points.
His shooting splits (41 percent from the field) are, however, below average compared to most of Boston’s regulars, and he has had an average career 3-point shooting percentage (36 percent).
He’s not necessarily someone Joe Mazzulla would want to play over anyone else on the roster who is currently in his top-10, especially given his size limitations defensively.
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Naturally, if the Celtics were to trade Brogdon, adding Payne might be something to consider.