Any team with a lot of money to work with in the upcoming offseason must first evaluate who stays and who goes on the current roster. That is the case with the Boston Celtics who have plenty of team-friendly deals they can either keep or trade away for bigger names. With about $40 million committed to contracts for next season, Boston has a lot of room to work with, but first must see who has the most potential in the current group of players.
According to CSNNE.com, Jared Sullinger could find himself becoming a trade piece as the Celtics look for an elite big man to add to the roster. Sullinger has faced plenty of trade rumors in the past, but has stayed put through them all. However, team sources report he might not be as lucky this time around. Set to earn just $2.3 million next season, Sullinger is an easy contract to dump.
Celtics' general manager Danny Ainge has already made it clear that Boston will go after anybody and everybody in the upcoming free agency run which means anyone on the roster can become available. Sullinger is the type of player that has shown enough potential to be a key role player, but has struggled with inconsistencies and injuries that make him expendable.
According to ESPNBoston.com, the Celtics are desperate to deal away Gerald Wallace and his giant contract which sees the veteran earning $10.1 million next season. In order to do so they might have to get rid of other players to sweeten the deal. Sullinger could be one along with Evan Turner or even Kelly Olynyk. ESPN reports that James Young, Marcus Smart and Jae Crowder are the only players that look to be guaranteed a return.
The Celtics have been linked to a number of trade deals that make these players expendable. The Boston Herald has linked to team to deals for DeMarcus Cousins, Ty Lawson along with free agents like LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Wes Matthews and Greg Monroe, The Celtics feel they have something in Smart which means an elite point guard to replace Rajon Rondo is not necessary, so getting a top defender and size under the rim is the first move Boston will make.