NBA Rumors: The player that the Celtics have in their sights for their reconstruction

As expected, the Boston Celtics opted for a selling strategy last summer, shedding several hefty contracts to position themselves below the luxury tax threshold, a barrier that significantly constrained their financial flexibility.

However, this move left significant gaps in the roster, especially at the center position. The departure of Kristaps Porziņģis to the Atlanta Hawks and Al Horford's departure as a free agent to the Golden State Warriors marked a new era in Boston's frontcourt.

The most significant loss, however, did not come from a trade but from an injury. With Jayson Tatum out for the entire season due to an Achilles tendon rupture, the franchise seems resigned to a transitional phase. The Celtics are not expected to compete for top spots in the East, and the coaching staff is likely to prioritize the development of young players and the long-term project restructuring.

Nevertheless, the landscape could change if the team manages to remain competitive in the first half of the season. In a scenario where things align in their favor, Boston could once again look to the market for reinforcements to push for the playoffs, with Nic Claxton, center of the Brooklyn Nets, emerging as an attractive target.

Claxton, an Ideal Fit for Boston's New Context

Analyst Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report has proposed a hypothetical trade that could benefit both franchises. In this scenario, the Celtics would receive Claxton in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a future draft pick. The deal would be straightforward in structure but hold deep implications in terms of sports and finances.

For Boston, Claxton would be an ideal addition: a young, athletic, versatile center who fits the team's new defensive DNA. Capable of protecting the rim, switching on defense, and executing pick and rolls effectively, the Brooklyn player would bring balance to a frontcourt weakened by the departures of Porziņģis and Horford. Moreover, his contract—extending for two more seasons with an average annual salary close to 23 million dollars—would be reasonable in the current salary context.

Furthermore, the trade would allow the Celtics to save over four million in salary cap, a significant amount for an organization still looking to stabilize its finances after years of high spending. Sportswise, Claxton would be a piece that contributes both in the present and in future planning, especially if Boston opts to maintain a young core around Tatum and Jaylen Brown once the former returns.

On the other side, the Brooklyn Nets could also benefit from this transaction but from a different perspective. The team has assumed the role of a "dumping ground" for hard contracts this season, prioritizing asset accumulation and salary balance. In this exchange, they would acquire the expiring contract of Anfernee Simons, valued at 27.7 million dollars, offering them an opportunity to free up space for the upcoming summer.

In exchange for taking on this temporary salary, the Nets would receive a future draft pick, enhancing their reconstruction assets, and would shed the long-term financial commitment with Claxton. This move aligns with their current strategy of flexibility and reconstruction, focusing more on accumulating resources than competing immediately.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rumores NBA: El jugador que tienen los Celtics en el punto de mira para su reconstrucción