The Boston Celtics are working on the details of the David Lee trade with the Golden State Warriors and this year the team could look at more deals, as Isaiah Thomas, Jared Sullinger and Marcus Smart could be traded at the deadline depending on how the season goes, as the Celtics will be looking to spend big in 2016 free agency next summer.
The Celtics did not hit on big free agents this summer like Greg Monroe and Kevin Love, but they made some solid moves with signing Amir Johnson and keeping Jonas Jerebko. The team had the cap space to spend, but Monroe opted for the Bucks and players like Love and LaMarcus Aldridge did not give the Celtics a real shot to sign them. Moving forward Danny Ainge likely will take it easy heading into next summer, as the Boston Herald reports the Celtics may have around $50 million in cap space to spend.
UPDATE: "Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets reportedly discussing Danilo Gallinari Trade" per RealGM
The Herald reports that "two max players" could be targets for the Celtics next summer, as players like Kevin Durant, Eric Gordon, Mike Conley, Al Horford, Chandler Parsons, Al Jefferson, Timofey Mozgov, Danilo Gallinari, Ryan Anderson and Chris Paul are set to be eligible for free agency. While the Celtics may not end up getting the players they want, they have the potential to free up cap space and this year they could look at making trades to get it done.
Check here for more on the details of the David Lee trade with the Golden State Warriors getting worked out by the Boston Celtics.
The team just moved the contract for Gerald Wallace for David Lee, but the trade is not yet officially complete. According to Marc Stein at ESPN, the Celtics and Warriors agreed to a deal with Lee, but the trade has not yet been finished off. Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reports that there are still details to be worked out and the teams are "structuring" the deal for Lee. Himmelsbach added that "neither team is in a rush" to finalize the deal and another player could be traded to get the contract numbers to work for the Celtics and Warriors.
Check here for more on past trade interest about Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart during the NBA draft and Jared Sullinger during the NBA Draft.
Lee has the chance to play more than he did last season with the Warriors, as he was basically a reserve option for the team. Lee averaged eight points and five rebounds per game last season in 49 games played and he should have a more active role with Boston. Jerebko, Johnson and Jared Sullinger are all in at forward and that could push Lee back a bit, but the Celtics likely want to have some depth at the position if they make deals or if players get injured.
Check here for more on the potential of Boston going after big free agents with over $50 million in cap space, including names like Kevin Durant and Eric Gordon.
The next year is an important one for the Celtics, as they reportedly came into this summer (before adding contracts) with just two players with guaranteed deals after next season in Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas. Thomas was acquired last season and likely will not be pushed in a trade yet, but there is chance he could get moved if the team struggles. Sullinger and Marcus Smart were both shopped during the NBA draft, but it looks like they will be staying for now. Sullinger could be an option to get traded over Smart this year, as Smart is younger and has a team option for next year.
