The Boston Celtics have begun to find their stride as of late as the NBA trade deadline nears but could use another piece or two to help maximize their chances of making the playoffs.
The options are rather limited for the Celtics when it comes to the type of trade targets they reasonably can pursue. In fact, there has even been mention of how Dennis Schroder could end up being moved since he is on an expiring deal and it’ll be a real challenge to retain him.
One option the Celtics recently were linked to was Jalen Smith from the Phoenix Suns, who was selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, there is ‘widespread belief’ the Celtics will be ‘very active’ at the NBA trade deadline and Jalen Smith has been a ‘recent trade target’ for the organization.
Phoenix Suns big man Jalen Smith has been a recent trade target of Boston, according to league sources. There is a widespread belief the Celtics will be very active in efforts to bolster their roster around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the coming weeks.
With how restricted the Celtics’ options will be with surrounding Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown with talent, taking chances on a talent like Jalen Smith would be an intriguing option. He is limited to playing the center position but has a stretch-five skill-set with some shot blocking upside.
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“No, I saw a different player,” Suns coach Monty Williams said, via AZ Central. “We’ve always compared him to a Jerami Grant type player to be honest with you. I was off on that. I think he’s probably best served playing that five position with the way that he played and started during this stretch where we all had COVID.”
There have been some impressive recent flashes of potential from Smith as of late. He showed the Celtics directly what he is capable of achieving by scoring 19 points and seven rebounds in a recent matchup.
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The asking price for Jalen Smith surely would not be significant for the Phoenix Suns given they declined his final-year team-option. At some point, the Boston Celtics will need to find a more long-term center option than Al Horford and perhaps if they take a chance on Smith and it pans out they could achieve that.
