The Boston Celtics will explore every available option in the trade market, as they continue their search for a player who can push them above their rivals in the Eastern Conference.

Bobby Marks, who boasts two decades of NBA front office experience before he joined ESPN’s corps of NBA insiders, believed the Celtics could approach the trade deadline in two different ways. Boston could take the conservative route by keeping their lineup intact, or they go all-in by swinging for a blockbuster acquisition.

The Celtics are very capable of pulling off another huge move just months after trading for Kyrie Irving since they still have a deep stash of draft picks (first round picks from the Grizzlies, Lakers, or Sixers) and promising young players (Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Marcus Smart).

Another factor that should be taken into consideration is the sizable disabled player exception ($8.4MM) they received after Gordon Hayward suffered a season-ending ankle injury in November. Boston has until March 10 to use the exception, which enables them to absorb an expiring contract via trade or free agency. It should be noted that the expiring contract or the new deal must not exceed the maximum allowable amount in the DPE.

Celtics want another scorer

One prominent trade target the Celtics are reportedly trying to acquire using their DPE is veteran wingman Tyreke Evans of the Memphis Grizzlies. Evans, 28, is enjoying his best statistical season since his rookie year, averaging 19.5 PPG on 45 FG percent with 5.0 RPG and 5.0 APG.

The Grizzlies have already decided to sit Evans until they find a taker for him. According to Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer, Memphis has already received offers from multiple teams, and all of them are willing to throw in a first-round pick to complete the deal.

Again, the Celtics can spare one of their first rounders for Evans, whose salary ($5.4MM, taxpayers mid-level exception) fits nicely with the DPE. However, Boston is also setting their sight on other targets, including former Sixth Man of the Year winner Lou Williams.

Like Evans, Williams has inflated his trade value dramatically after pumping up career-best numbers (23.5 PPG and 5.2 APG) this season.

The combo guard’s salary also fits with the Celtics’ DPE, though the Clippers are asking a premium return in exchange for the explosive gunner.

Sixers join Evans sweepstakes

The Philadelphia 76ers have also expressed interest in Evans just like six other NBA teams (Cavs, Celtics, Pelicans, Raptors, Heat, Rockets, and Thunder), according to Marc Stein of the New York Times. The Sixers (24-24) have positioned themselves well to end their postseason drought this year, but there’s no guarantee they can hold their spot until the end of the regular-season.

With the Detroit Pistons making the power play to acquire Blake Griffin and the Charlotte Hornets trending up, the Sixers are hard-pressed to make a trade for another player who can contribute on the fly.

Evans can become the third wheel to the Ben Simmons-Joel Embiid dynamic in Philly, or perhaps the offensive sparkplug Brett Brown has been looking for from the bench.

Philadelphia remains in possession of multiple first-round picks, some of which might wind up in the top-5 pick in next year’s draft. The Sixers might consider packaging a first-rounder to one of their veterans on the payroll, and many believe Jerryd Bayless is the player the Sixers would most likely move because of his expiring contract next year ($9MM).
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