On Tuesday, we covered the possibility of John Wall’s move to the Clippers potentially making someone like Luke Kennard available, as Los Angeles now has an abundance of guards and wings.
On Wednesday, something similar happened with the Atlanta Hawks when they acquired guard Dejounte Murray in a blockbuster trade with the San Antonio Spurs.
Murray would’ve been a sexy addition for the Celtics, and we can certainly debate whether they should’ve made an aggressive run at him. But while the C’s won’t be getting Murray, the trade may very well make another potential target even more available.
Should Celtics have been in on Dejounte Murray?
Kevin Huerter was already being mentioned as a possible trade target for Boston. Now, the addition of Murray would likely relegate Huerter to a bench role in Atlanta and make it more likely the Hawks move him.
According to The Athletic’s John Hollinger, the Hawks are motivated to get under the luxury tax, and moving Huerter would help them do it. Trading either Huerter or forward John Collins would help the Hawks recoup some of the draft capital they just gave up to get Murray, too. Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer also reported that the Hawks are exploring deals for Huerter and/or Collins.
“If Boston can stomach the luxury tax hit, a trade of Atlanta’s Kevin Huerter to the Celtics would make a lot of sense for both sides,” Hollinger wrote. “Huerter would give Boston another big wing off the bench who can score, improving their bench, and he’s on the same timeline as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.”
Huerter makes $14.5 million next season, so the Celtics could fit him in their $17.1 million traded player exception that expires on July 18. As for the luxury tax hit, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens told reporters last week that ownership has given him “the OK to do whatever we need to do.”
Huerter, 23, averaged 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 30 minutes per game this season while shooting 45.4% from the field and 38.9% from three. That was all right in line with his career averages through four seasons.
Former Celtics and Suns executive Ryan McDonough highlighted Huerter as a good target for the Celtics on Gresh & Keefe last week.
“Huerter’s a guy who would fit because of his shooting ability, because he’s not just a catch-and-shoot player. He can do a little bit more than that,” McDonough said. “Makes $14.5 million next season. Obviously to get a talented, young player like that, Boston would have to give some value. But I would keep an eye on that. That would fit along the lines of what Brad Stevens is looking for. Maybe not a traditional, classic, playmaking point guard, but a guy who can catch and make open shots and can also be a secondary playmaker who can attack closeouts or make plays from the weak side.”
The Celtics reportedly turned down a trade for Knicks guard Alec Burks, suggesting Stevens was aiming a little higher when it comes to using his TPE. Huerter would qualify as a better target, and it now looks like he is very much available.
Related
