The Boston Celtics just made a franchise-altering move, shipping Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-rounders. And while the trade looks, on paper, like selling low on a 29-year-old star who averaged 29-7-5 last season, the front office clearly had its reasons. George is a better fit alongside Jayson Tatum. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands as much. He spaces the floor better. His contract expires a year sooner.
But here’s the thing about the current roster: It is not finished. Not even close.
The Celtics have about $4.4 million of breathing room under the first apron. That is nothing, really. Not enough to add a star. Not enough to make a splash. But it might be just enough to make one more move that could matter in the spring.
The Murphy Pipe Dream Isn’t Happening.
A lot of Celtics fans want Trey Murphy III. And it makes sense, because Murphy is exactly the kind of shooter who thrives in Joe Mazzulla’s system. He shot 38 percent from three last season on nearly nine attempts per game. He doesn’t need to dribble much to score. He’s long and fits next to anyone.
But the math does not work. Murphy is owed $27 million next season. The Celtics have a $27.7 million trade exception from the Anfernee Simons deal, and they have two future first-round picks from Philly that could be appealing. But Boston is hard-capped at the first apron after signing Mitchell Robinson to a $47.4 million deal. There is no way to fit Murphy’s salary without dumping someone like Derrick White or Sam Hauser. Neither of those things is happening. White is too important. Hauser is too cheap for what he gives you.
And the trade exception expires in February. So Murphy is probably off the table for good.
Why Saddiq Bey Makes More Sense.
So call New Orleans anyway. But ask about Saddiq Bey instead. The 6-foot-8 wing just put up 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 36.7 percent from deep on nearly six attempts per game. He is not a star. He is not going to sell jerseys. But he is a solid, switchable defender who can create a little off the bounce and punish smaller guys in the post. That is exactly the kind of depth piece a contender needs.
Bey is in the final year of his contract, making just $6.6 million. The Celtics can free up about $2.8 million more by waiving Dalano Banton’s non-guaranteed deal. That would give them enough room to absorb Bey’s salary using the $8.2 million trade exception from the Georges Niang trade, which does not expire until August 6.
The risk? New Orleans is hard to deal with. They tend to ask for first-round picks for guys who probably aren’t worth first-round picks. And Bey will need a new contract soon. But if Boston can get him for a couple of second-rounders, that is a win. A shooter with his size and defensive versatility at that price is exactly the kind of addition that turns a good team into a deep one.
The Celtics are not done. They just need to be smart about what they can actually afford.
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