Could Marcus Thornton become the latest in a long line of Boston Celtics to leave town this season? It certainly seems possible.
The Celtics guard is drawing “a lot of interest” on the trade market, Yahoo! Sports’ Marc Spears reported Wednesday, citing a source. Spears does note, however, that Thornton’s $8.6 million contract might dissuade some teams from acquiring the 27-year-old.
Boston’s trade machine has been humming at an alarming rate this season. Danny Ainge, the team’s president of basketball operations, has pulled off eight separate deals since draft night — a total that would climb to nine if the widely reported Austin Rivers-to-the Los Angeles Clippers trade is indeed finalized.
Thornton, whom the Celtics acquired in one of said deals back in July, can offer a team his ability to score in bunches off the bench. He’s done so only sparingly with Boston, though, averaging 7.6 points per game and shooting just 40.9 percent from the floor.
A slight calf tear sidelined Thornton for 11 games, and he’s yet to rediscover his stroke, going just 5-for-23 (including 1-for-6 from 3-point range) in four contests since returning.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
