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GettyBrad Stevens, Boston Celtics
When the Boston Celtics signed and traded Evan Fournier to the New York Knicks last summer, they created a $17.1 million trade exception. You have until July 18 to use this exception before it expires. In light of their most recent acquisition of Malcolm Brogdon, it appears the Celtics probably won’t use the trade exception, according to Jay King of The Athletic.
“Acquiring Brodgon’s contract, which will pay him $67.6 million over the next three seasons, shows how serious the Celtics are about pursuing a championship with the current core. They’ll be willing to shoulder a hefty tax bill even if they don’t use their big $17.1 million business exception. Stevens still has until July 18 to seek more additions with that roster tool, but the Celtics have already thoroughly explored the market and don’t expect that search to bear fruit, according to a league source.
King then added that the Celtics decided Brogdon was their best option.
“After doing all the due diligence, the team considered Brogdon a better option than any player who would have fit in the big TPE.”
Brogdon is scheduled to earn $22.6 million during the 2022-23 season, which means it would have been too expensive to acquire him with Fournier TPE.
Boston’s remaining options with the Fournier TPE
After relaying that the Celtics most likely won’t use the Evan Fournier trade exception, King mentioned that if they did, it would likely be on a center since the team included Daniel Theis in the Malcolm Brogdon trade.
“If they do use it, it’s not the most likely scenario at the moment, it would make sense to target a backup center. After moving Theis, the Celtics could use a worthy third big man to soak up minutes behind Al Horford and Robert Williams. They could also fill that void with a veteran’s minimum contract.”
Keep in mind that the Celtics will be paying a big luxury tax bill as it is with the Brogdon trade. Plus, if they were to trade for a center, he’d be competing for minutes with Horford, Robert Williams, Grant Williams and possibly soon-to-be-acquired Danilo Gallinari. In other words, if they were to use that exception at a center that gets paid $17.1 million or less, they’d be paying a lot of money for someone who wouldn’t get a lot of minutes when the team is fully healthy.
Celtics interested in Thomas Bryant
It appears the Celtics have already begun looking to fill the void left by Theis. On July 1, Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports reported that Boston was interested in Thomas Bryant. However, it seems that his longtime rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, for whom Bryant played in the 2017-18 season, is interested in meeting with him.
Yahoo sources: Free agent center Thomas Bryant is receiving a lot of interest from contending teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. He is expected to make a decision later this morning.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2022
Brad Turner of the LA Times later confirmed the Lakers’ interest in Bryant, but also reported that the Toronto Raptors wanted him, too.
Sources: The Lakers have a keen interest in meeting free-agent center Thomas Bryant, but with LA only having the bare minimum of a veteran to offer, they’re in no rush to make a decision. Also, the Lakers have competition for Bryant’s services, as Toronto is also interested.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) July 1, 2022
As of July 2, there has been nothing new to report on who Bryant signs with. However, if Bryant ultimately decides not to join the Celtics, Boston has at least brought back center Luke Kornet for a third round to help their front line.
Free agent center Luke Kornet has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Boston Celtics, league sources told @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2022
Whether that is Theis’s replacement is yet to be determined.
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