Celtics Fans Will Feel Good About Newest Trade Deadline Prediction

Brad Stevens’ offseason of cost-cutting for the Boston Celtics has many analysts predicted that Stevens will approach the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline with a seller’s mindset.

Does that really make sense, though, considering the fact that Boston is the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference right now, with All-Star starter Jaylen Brown playing at an MVP level?

If the Celts were flirting with the playoffs (or worse), Stevens might be clearly motivated to duck under the luxury tax by shedding approximately $12.1 million in salary. This could be achieved by trading Anfernee Simons ($27.7 million expiring contract) and taking back less, or by moving Sam Hauser ($10 million cap hit) and a tad more salary in a similar deal.

But with the Celtics winning, and with Jayson Tatum possibly returning, maybe Stevens is thinking he should ignore the tax stuff and just keep this team together past the deadline.

That’s the kind of thinking that Bleacher Report’s NBA writer Andy Bailey was doing on Monday when he predicted that Stevens will indeed choose to not duck the tax.

“After the Boston Celtics spent the offseason shedding salary and big names like Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday, it almost felt like a foregone conclusion that they’d find a way to get under the luxury tax before the deadline,” Bailey wrote.

“But lowering your payroll by just over $12 million in the middle of the season is no small feat. The most obvious candidate for another cost-cutting move, Anfernee Simons, is averaging double figures and shooting an above-average three-point percentage. And most importantly, Jaylen Brown’s All-NBA-caliber campaign has completely shifted the perception of this Boston campaign.”

“This no longer feels like a gap year,” Bailey wrote. “It’s not close, actually. The Celtics are within striking distance of the East’s top seed. And if Jayson Tatum is back before the playoffs, this team could have a realistic shot at another championship. Unloading talent for little more than pocketbook relief doesn’t make sense for a contender.”

Celtics fans who have enjoyed watching the team this year will feel good about Bailey’s prediction. Why subtract from a team that has a chance at the Finals?

The Celtics (26-15) will be in Detroit on Monday night to take on the Pistons.