3 Realistic Celtics Trade Targets at the Deadline

With the trade deadline quickly approaching, the Boston Celtics sit at 32-15 and second in the East. After what has been an inconsistent past couple of weeks for Boston, Brad Stevens could dial up the phone in hopes of acquiring some more talent and depth ahead of the February 6 deadline.

Boston has gone 5-5 in their last 10 games after squandering a 12-point fourth-quarter lead and losing to the Rockets at the Garden on Monday night. The Celtics' mantra of "live by the 3, die by the 3" has not been as effective as it was last season.

The Celtics went 64-18 last season, and are already at 15 losses in late January, but still are just 5.5 games back of the Cavaliers for first in the East, with 35 games left to play.

Considering how the Celtics' roster is constructed, it is more challenging for them to make a move due to the fact that they're a second-apron team. They have locked down their stars for multiple years, having to pay players a total of $199 million this season, the third-highest total in the league.

The Celtics are still in a great spot and one of the front-runners to win the Finals in June, but shaky play over the last month could influence Brad Stevens to make a deal to improve the roster. Making the money work in a deal will be the hardest challenge for the front office.