Chicago Bulls Receive: G Dennis Schroder
Boston Celtics Receive: F Troy Brown Jr., CHI 2026 2nd Round Pick
The Chicago Bulls are dangerously close to the tax line this season and as a result, they do not have the capability to make many trades unless their outgoing salaries match their incoming salaries in said trade.
In this deal with the Celtics, Dennis Schroder ($5.9M) would be going to Chicago for Troy Brown Jr. ($5.1M) and a future second-round pick, which matches the salaries perfectly for the Bulls.
Chicago remains under the tax line for the season and they would add another impactful player to their roster in an attempt to make a run at the NBA Finals.
While Boston still remains over the tax line on the season, something they would like to get below or over the next few days, the Celtics would lower their payroll by $700K and get future value from trading Schoder through a 2026 second-round pick.
READ MORE: Latest NBA Trade Rumors To Watch As Deadline Approaches
Troy Brown Jr.’s salary also fits into the Celtics’ $6.9M TPE that they have from trading Juancho Hernangomez to the Spurs earlier this season, allowing them to absorb his salary with no penalty.
The Celtics find themselves in a very intriguing situation ahead of the NBA trade deadline because they are only 4.5 games back from first place in the Eastern Conference, but they are the 8-seed right now and in the play-in tournament range.
Winning 7 of their last 8 games, the Celtics have gotten hot at the right time and are heading into the NBA trade deadline and towards the All-Star break with a lot of confidence. However, they are still going to be looking to make some moves given all of their trade exceptions.
READ MORE: Latest NBA Trade Rumors To Watch As Deadline Approaches
Along with the TPE that they could use in this deal to absorb Brown Jr.’s salary, the Celtics also have TPEs worth $17.1M, $9.7M, and $1M, giving them options on potential trade targets ahead of Thursday.
Boston needs more bench talent and they not only get Troy Brown Jr. in this deal, but this trade could open up the door for the Celtics to acquire a more impactful scorer on the wing in another trade.
