Boston Celtics: Free agent and trade options with DPE

The NBA has granted a disabled player exception, or DPE, for the Boston Celtics for the 2017-18 season following the Gordon Hayward injury.

The Boston Celtics have been granted a disabled player exception following the injury to Gordon Hayward that will likely force him to miss the entire season. The DPE is reportedly worth $8.4 million.

Boston can use the DPE to sign a player to a one-year deal or acquire a player in the final year of their deal via trade (who also fits into that salary). So, the Celtics don’t have a ton of options, but there are players out there that could help this team. Boston has until March 10th to use the exception.

The Celtics have been fine so far, and they definitely seem like they’re improving game to game. They dropped the season opener to the Cavaliers but nearly came back to win it after Hayward went down. They also dropped their home opener to the Bucks. Since then though, Boston has won 3 straight games. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have had to step up, and they have. Al Horford though has really been the catalyst for this Celtics team while Kyrie Irving is still finding his rhythm.

Boston could choose to wait until the deadline of March 10th to make a move if they want to see which players get waived by their teams late in the season. If they want to make a move sooner though, they have a few options here. They would have to move a player on the roster currently to make room for the newly acquired player though.

Free Agents

Gerald Green

Gerald Green was on this Celtics team last season and his familiarity with Brad Stevens and some of the players would be huge. He would have to adjust to a lot of the new players, but he definitely still has something to offer. Last season, Green averaged 11.4 minutes played with 5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. If he could put those type of numbers up once again, he’d be a ton of help back in Boston

Brandon Rush

Brandon Rush was a starter for the Timberwolves last season, but now he finds himself without an NBA home. He has dealt with injuries over the last few seasons, but when he’s healthy he has the ability to make a difference.

Matt Barnes

Matt Barnes could potentially bring a ton of off-court issues to the Celtics, and I don’t think they want that. Last year with Sacramento and Golden State, Barnes averaged 7.1 points 5.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He’s a 33.5% career 3-point shooter as well, so he could help to open the floor up.

Trades

Corey Brewer

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Corey Brewer clearly does not fit into the Los Angeles Lakers young rebuild plan. Through 5 games this season he has averaged 18.1 minutes per game, but that’s because it includes one start. If he were in Boston, I think the Celtics could expect him to add 5 points per night as he’s reunited with his University of Florida teammate Al Horford.

Ersan Ilyasova

I don’t think Ersan Ilyasova is a necessary piece for the Atlanta Hawks. They could look to send him to Boston if a young talent like Abdel Nader is included in the deal. Through 4 games this year Ilyasova is averaging 5.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

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My Pick

While I’d love to see Corey Brewer reunite with Al Horford, I simply don’t want to make a deal with the Lakers. The Celtics should look to sign Gerald Green, who can step in immediately to help off the bench. He’d be a great veteran presence for the young locker room as well.