As NBA trade season begins, will Celtics make any roster changes?

Boston: So, the NBA trade season is kicking off, and everyone’s buzzing about what the Celtics might do. They’ve been doing pretty well, sitting at 21-5 after a solid win against the Wizards. But the big question is, will they shake things up?

Brad Stevens, the Celtics’ president, has been all about keeping the core team intact. He wants to see how things play out before making any big moves. And honestly, it’s hard to argue with their success so far. They’ve got a strong lineup and some serious depth.

But here’s the thing: there’s a bit of a gap in the roster now that Oshae Brissett is gone. It’s not clear if anyone’s really stepping up to fill those minutes. Plus, with the Celtics being a second-apron team, they’ve got some restrictions on trades. They can’t combine contracts to snag a bigger player, which makes things tricky.

When it comes to who might be on the move, the big guys like Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta just became trade eligible. But Kornet has a veto option, so he’s probably not going anywhere. Jayson Tatum is off-limits until 2025, and some other players have specific dates when they can be traded.

What the Celtics really need is some wing depth. Tatum and Jaylen Brown are stars, but behind them, the bench is looking a bit thin. Young players like Jordan Walsh are still finding their footing, and they could use some experience back there.

There’s also chatter about adding a big man to help out veterans like Al Horford. The current bigs have been doing okay, but fans are always looking for more depth in that position.

As for realistic moves, it seems unlikely they’ll mess with their top nine players. They might just keep things steady for now. They do have an open roster spot, so they could sign someone without making a trade. There are options out there, like bringing back a familiar face or promoting a two-way player.

One name to keep an eye on is Jaden Springer. He’s got a decent contract, but he hasn’t played much. If they want to move him, it might take some extra effort to find a team willing to take on that salary.

In the end, while other teams are making moves, the Celtics might just play it cool for now. They don’t need to rush into anything, but if the right opportunity comes along, Stevens might just go for it. After all, it’s all about getting closer to that next championship.