Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics are busy at work on the NBA trade deadline. First, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on February 10 that the C’s made a deal with the Orlando Magic, sending seven-footer Bol Bol, guard PJ Dozier and cash to Central Florida. The two teams also swapped future second-round draft picks.
Shortly after, a much more drastic trade was struck with the San Antonio Spurs. Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Celtics are trading veteran wing Josh Richardson to the Spurs in exchange for point guard/shooting guard Derrick White. Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports that a future first-round pick and Romeo Langford will also head to San Antonio in the deal.
Celtics Shake Up Their Bench
White, 27, has spent the entirety of his five-year career with Spurs, averaging 11.6 points on 45% shooting. Through 49 games this season the Colorado native is putting up 14.4 points and 5.6 assists per contest. Inked to a four-year, $70 million contract extension in December of last year, he’ll now be under contract with the Celtics through 2025. With Richardson moved, White will likely serve as Ime Udoka’s first combo guard off the bench — a role that the former had been excelling in of late.
Richardson, who the Celtics originally acquired with the remainder of the Gordon Hayward TPE back in July, averaged 9.7 points in 24.7 minutes per game with the Celtics 2021-22. His current 39.7% hit rate from beyond the arc marks his best since his rookie season in 2015.
Langford, Boston’s lottery pick from 2019, has flashed at times through his career, but never truly found his footing with the Celtics. His 4.7 points per game average this season does mark a personal best for the former Indiana Hoosier. Now he’ll look to break out under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio.
Bookkeeping Move Dips Celtics Below Luxury Tax
The cost-saving Magic trade has zero effect on Boston’s current rotation as both Bol and Dozier are currently on the mend with season-ending injuries. ESPN’s Bobby Marks broke down the financial fallout from the trade:
The trade puts Boston under the luxury tax They will also create a $2.1M and $1.9M TE Bol and Dozier are on expiring contracts Bol has $707K remaining on his $2.1M contract and Dozier $626K on his $1.9M salary. Orlando will need to open up 2 roster spots.
Boston originally acquired Bol and Dozier on January 19 from the Denver Nuggets as part of a three-team Juancho Hernangomez trade with the San Antonio Spurs. At 22 years old, Bol remains a highly tantalizing prospect — albeit with some injury concerns. Currently recovering from foot surgery, the agile big man averaged 21.0 points and 9.6 rebounds in college, shooting 52.0% from three. However, he only managed to play in nine games with Oregon due to foot issues. In three NBA seasons, Bol has appeared in only 53 games, averaging 2.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 6.2 minutes played.
Dozier, who now leaves Boston for the second time in his career after an abbreviated stint with the franchise back in 2018, will continue his rehab for a torn ACL in Orlando.
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Celtics Land Combo Guard from Spurs, Unload 4 Players in Multiple Trades: Report